Fitchburg State Defeats Salem State 61-54

Fitchburg State Defeats Salem State 61-54

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Kia Fernandes (Wareham, Mass.) scored 22 points and tied a career-high with 21 rebounds in Salem State's 61-54 MASCAC loss to Fitchburg State on Wednesday evening at Parkinson Gymansium. The Vikings are now 2-12 and 0-2 in conference while the Falcons improve to 7-6 and 1-1 in the league.

Fitchburg State jumped out to an early 7-3 lead following a jumper from junior Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) before Salem State took lead (8-7) as senior Kia Fernandes (Wareham, Mass.) knocked down a three pointer. The Falcons answered back to take a 12-10 margin on a pair of free throws, but the Vikings would knot the score at 12-12 with senior Kate McDonnell (Swansea, Mass.) connected on a layup.

Fitchburg State regained the lead (19-14) as senior Hannah Keohan (Lunenburg, Mass.) drained a three ball, while junior Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.) added a layup. Salem State battled back to take a 24-22 edge on a free throw by Fernandes before both teams traded buckets to end the half with junior Emma Thomson (York, Maine) connecting on a three ball, while Fernandes sank one of two from the charity stripe to make the score 25-25 going into the break.

Following the intermission, Salem State took the lead back (27-25) on a jumper by Fernandes before Fitchburg cut the deficit to 29-28 on a three-pointer from Thomson. The Falcons proceeded to regain the lead on two free-throws by Coppinger for the 33-31 edge. The Green and Gold extended its lead to 45-37 on a Coppinger bucket and a jumper from Marazzi going into the final quarter of paly.

The Vikings chipped away at the deficit (47-41) as senior Tyra Scott (Methuen, Mass.) connected on a basket before Fitchburg State secured the victory on a layup from senior Kerry Brodbeck (Boston, Mass.), resulting in the 61-54 final. 

The Falcons were led by Coppinger with a double-double of 20 points and 20 boards while Marazzi chipped in with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists for Fitchburg State. Scott added to the mix with 18 points and six caroms for Salem State.