O’Day Drops 39 as Women’s Basketball Soars Past Fitchburg State 88-78
Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore guard Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) dropped a career-high 39 points as the Framingham State University women's basketball team defeated Fitchburg State University 88-78 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Athletic Center.
With the win, the Rams improve to 12-7 on the season and are now 6-1 in the league, while the Falcons fall to 5-14 on the year and are now 0-7 in the MASCAC.
O'Day got on the board early and often for the Rams as she scored the team's first 13 points and 15 of their first 18 of the contest en route to her 39 which is just three shy of the FSU single game record. O'Day connected on 14-of-25 from the field including four-of-11 from behind the arc and also converted seven-of-seven from the line. She filled the stat sheet with six rebounds and three steals.
Senior Raegan Mulherin (Baldwinville, Mass.) narrowly missed a double double with 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Rams, while sophomore Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) added 16 points of her own. Velozo connected on seven-of-11 from the field and added four boards, two assists and two blocks.
The Falcons were paced by a team-best 31 points from Angelina Marazzi. Marazzi connected on 11-of-23 from the field including three-of-nine from behind the arc to go along with four rebounds, four assists and a steal. Mikala Malboeuf added 19 points off the bench for the visitors as she shot 50% from the field (7-14) and added eight rebounds. Emma Thomas chipped in with nine points and four rebounds, while Mishelle Logie added four assists.
The Rams jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the opening quarter paced by all 13 from O'Day including three from behind the arc, but the Falcons cut into the deficit to three on a Marazzi three before the Rams extended the lead back to eight at the end of one, 26-18.
The Rams opened the second quarter with an 11-2 run pushing the lead to 17 (37-20) midway through the frame, but the Falcons closed the quarter with a run of the own and headed to the locker room down 11.
Fitchburg State cut the lead to four, 59-55, with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but a three from freshman Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) pushed the lead back to seven.
In the final quarter, the Falcons cut the deficit to six on a Marazzi jumper in the opening minutes but the Rams pushed the lead back to double digits to soar to the victory.
Both teams resume MASCAC action on Wednesday evening with the Rams traveling to Worcester State for a 5:30 p.m. tilt, while the Falcons host Salem State also at 5:30 p.m.