Birrell's late basket propels Seahawks past Fitchburg State, 50-48, and extends win streak to three

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Senior Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) collected a game-high 13 points as Salve Regina University held off a Fitchburg State University comeback for a 50-48 non-conference victory this evening.

Phillips controlled both ends of the floor for the Seahawks, turning in a double-double effort with a game-high 16 boards to go with her 13 points. The senior forward shot 5-of-16 from the field, while adding four steals and two blocks to the mix. Sophomore Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) notched a strong all-around game with eight points and seven steals, while Olivia Browning (Trumbull, Conn.) and Kimberly Horan (Webster, Mass.) added six points apiece.

Senior Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass.) led the Fitchburg State offense for the second straight contest, posting a nine point, seven rebound effort, while sophomore Jill Moses (Dedham, Mass.) and senior Kim Duprey (Bernardston, Mass./Pioneer Regional) chipped in with eight points each.

Despite shooting only 17.2% from the field in the first half (5-of-29), Fitchburg State rallied back from a 12 point, second half deficit to post only its second lead of the contest at the 4:25 mark. Freshman Amy Fahey (Lexington, Mass.) brought the Falcons within six (39-33) with a steal and lay-up at the 7:08 mark before Duprey and Moses rifled off seven unanswered points with a three and a pair of lay-ups.

Fitchburg State grabbed a three point advantage with just two minutes remaining following a Moses free-throw, but Phillips and Horan rallied the Seahawks back, knotting the score at 48-48 with two consecutive free-throws and jumper outside the paint.

After a Fitchburg State timeout, Salve Regina ramped up its defense, forcing the Falcons into a crucial, game-changing turnover. Birrell created the turnover with a steal at half and took it the distance to give the Seahawks a 50-48 lead. Fitchburg State had its chance to knot the match with just nine seconds remaining but a pair of free-throws missed their mark to give the Seahawks their eighth victory of the season.

Fitchburg State (6-5, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it hosts Framingham State University at 1 p.m. Salve Regina (8-3, 0-0 TCCC) will travel to Anna Maria College on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of Fitchburg State sports information