FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Nichols College women's basketball team wrapped up the fall semester with a 74-57 setback at Fitchburg State University on Tuesday night in non-league action in Fitchburg, Mass.
 
The Bison wrap up the first part of their schedule at 2-6 overall, having already matched their win total from a season ago. Fitchburg State improves to 4-7 with the victory.
 
Nichols was led by 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists from sophomore Jessica Larsh. Senior Allison Cerrato joined her in double-figures with 10 points and four rebounds, while junior Amy Assad scored eight points off the bench. Senior Brooke Packard corralled a team-high eight rebounds, with sophomore Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio adding five points and six rebounds.
 
Fitchburg State sophomore Angelina Marazzi paced the Falcons with a game-high 21 points to go with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Junior Mikala Malboeuf added 15 points and six rebounds off the bench, while freshman Mikaela Mitchell netted 13 points and senior Michaela McTomney posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Bison shot 15-of-55 (27.3%) from the field, 3-of-21 (14.3%) from beyond the arc, and 24-of-26 (92.3%) from the charity stripe in the setback. The Falcons hit 26-of-69 (37.7%) of their shots, 8-of-30 (26.7%) of their three-pointers, and 14-of-19 (73.7%) of their free throws. Fitchburg State held a slight 43-42 edge in rebounding in the game, while the Bison committed 20 turnovers to just eight for the home team.
 
Nichols jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and later held an 8-5 advantage on a jumper by Fithian-Giantonio with 4:27 to play. Freshman Beth Laing knocked down a jumper to extend the lead to 10-5, but the Falcons ended the period on a 7-2 run to make it a 12-12 game after one quarter of play.
 
Fitchburg State grabbed a 20-15 lead with 7:17 to play in the second quarter, and a triple from Fithian-Giantonio cut the deficit to 20-18 with 6:31 remaining. The Falcons eventually built a 27-21 advantage, and this time the Bison answered with an 8-1 run to take a 29-28 lead on a pair of Larsh free throws with 23 seconds remaining. Fitchburg State would score the final basket of the period; however, as Marazzi knocked down a jumper to give the home team a 30-29 lead headed into the break.
 
The third quarter was all Fitchburg State as the Falcons shot 47.1% from the field to outscore the Bison 25-12 in the frame and take a 55-41 edge at the end of three quarters.
 
Allison Cerrato dominated the fourth quarter for Nichols, scoring all 10 of her points in the period, but Fitchburg State was able hang onto its lead and close out the Bison, 74-57.
 
All-Time Series
Tuesday was the 33rd meeting between the two programs in program history and the Falcons hold a 20-13 edge in the series dating back to 1980.