Falcons Soar Past Blazers

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team defeated the Blazers of Elms College, 87-62 on Tuesday evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State raced out to a quick 9-0 lead on four points from junior Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) before Elms cut the deficit to 17-8 on a free-throw by sophomore Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.). Fitchburg State upped its margin (25-12) on a layup and two free-throws from freshman Jadelen Harold (Nantucket, Mass.) to end the first quarter.

The Falcons extended their advantage (30-15) as junior Emma Thomson (York, Maine) connected a three-ball, but the Blazers went on a 8-0 run toward the end of the half, capped by a three-pointer by senior Kayla Aberdale (Housatonic, Mass.) to make the score 47-28 going into the break.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State took its largest lead of the contest (60-33) on another three ball from Thomson before Elms cut into lead, going on an 8-0 streak to end the frame as junior Kayla Soto (New Britain, Conn.) knocked down a layup (60-41).

Both teams traded baskets to start the fourth with junior Shannon Cullen (Brookfield, Conn.) hitting the bucket for the Blazers, while junior Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.) netted a layup for the Falcons. Fitchburg State secured the victory though as Coppinger connected on back-to-back fast break layups, resulting in the 87-62 final.

The Falcons were led by Coppinger with a double-double of 21 points and 15 boards. Marazzi added 17 points, five caroms and five assists for the Green and Gold.

 Senior Niah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.) paced the Blazers with 11 points and 18 boards and freshman McKenzie Huria (Terryville, Conn.) chipped in with 11 points and two rebounds.

Fitchburg State shot 35-of-78 (44.9%) from the field and (8-for-21) 38.1% from three-point range. Elms finished 22-of-75 (29.3%) overall and (6-for-18) 33.3% for beyond the arc. The Falcons held a slim 56-52 margin on the glass. Meanwhile, the Blazers finished with a narrow 13-12 edge in second chance points.

The Falcons will host the Lasers of Lasell College on Saturday for a non-conference matchup, starting at 2:00 PM. Elms will travel to Lasell College on Thursday to take on the Lasers for a non-conference tilt at 6:00 PM.