Women's Basketball Flies Past Fitchburg State, 72-48

PAXTON, Mass.—The Anna Maria College women's basketball team opened with a 15-0 run and did not look back as they downed the visiting Falcons of Fitchburg State University 72-48 on Tuesday evening in non-conference action.

With the win, the AMCATS improve to 5-1. The AMCATS are off to their best start since 2000, when they opened the season at 6-0. Fitchburg State falls to 0-8.

THE SERIES

Anna Maria improves to 7-6 against Fitchburg dating back to the 2000-01 season. Anna Maria has won the last two, including last season's 79-64 win.

AMCAT LEADERS

Junior Christina Gauvin (Dudley, Mass.) led the team with 24 points and six rebounds. Classmate Deja Taitt (Cambia Heights, N.Y.) added 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the floor in addition to six assists, while sophomore Kristina Russo (South Windsor, Conn.) added 11 points on a 4-for-6 shooting effort.

FITCHBURG STATE LEADERS

The Falcons saw a double-double of 22 rebounds and 12 points from Michaela McTomney (Bellingham, Mass.). McTomney posted an impressive 13 rebounds on the offensive boards. Samantha Holey (Lynn, Mass.) added 11 points for the Falcons, while Shabeli Villa (Lawrence, Mass.) added 10 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The AMCATS opened with 15-straight points and led by as many as 17 points in the opening quarter as the team ran away with a 24-point victory. Anna Maria led 43-28 at halftime and used the second half to build up to a 28-point margin.  

The AMCATS held an 18-2 advantage in fast-break points and a 38-10 lead in points in the paint. Anna Maria also held an advantage in points off turnovers, 29-8.

Fitchburg held a 30-12 advantage in bench points and also outrebounded the AMCATS, 48-33.

FINAL COMARISONS

Anna Maria posted a 42.6 percent shooting effort from the floor, including a 16-32 (50 percent) effort in the first half.

Fitchburg shot 28.3 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from the free-throw line.

WHAT'S NEXT

The AMCATS travel to Wesleyan University for the Courtyard by Marriott Classic this weekend. Anna Maria takes on the hosts on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before facing RPI on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.