Box Score FITCHBURG, Mass.—Minutes after missing a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer in regulation, senior Megan Wodzinski knocked down the go-ahead basket with seven seconds left in overtime to lead Fitchburg State University (4-0) past UMass Boston women's basketball (2-2) 60-57 at the Recreation Center.
Wodzinski's shot was enough for the 13th and final lead change of a game that finished with 13 lead changes and 15 total ties, including three lead changes and one time in the extra session.
Junior forward Olivia Murphy (Canton, Mass.) and sophomore forwards Katrina Edwards (Springfield, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles for the Beacons who had their two-game winning streak snapped.
Murphy finished with a game-high 17 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, while Edwards registered her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. The two combined to knock down 41.4 percent (12-of-29) of their field-goal attempts, while the rest of the squad finished just 9-of-29 (23.1 percent). As a team, UMass Boston knocked down shot 30.9 percent form the field and 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from distance.
Wodzinski led the Falcons with 14 points and four rebounds, while Britney Payne (10 points and 11 rebounds) and Jackie Boffoli (12 points) joined Wodzinski in double-figures.
Fitchburg State made up for a poor shooting day of their own (30.4 field %), by forcing a season-high 29 Beacons turnovers. The Falcons turned the 29 turnovers into a 31-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
On the other side, UMass Boston dominated the glass, as they pulled down 26 offensive rebounds and a season-high 61 for the game. The hosts weren't far behind with 22 rebounds and 47 total boards, as the Falcons kept the second-chance points to within 19-12 in favor of UMass Boston.
After a see-saw first half, Fitchburg State opened up the largest lead of the game for either side, when they made it 42-35 with 9:40 to play. UMass Boston fought back to tie the game at 46-46 with 5:22 to play on a Murphy layup. The two teams managed just two baskets apiece over the final 5:22, with Edwards tying the game at 50-50 with 1:46 to play.
Both sides had multiple chances to win the game in the final 1:46 but Murphy and Katie Mathieu (Coventry, Conn.) missed for the Beacons, while Wodzinski's jumper at the buzzer was off the mark.
Wodzkinski made amends to start the overtime session, as the senior knocked down back-to-back shots to give the Falcons a 54-50 with 4:17 left.
Mathieu answered with her third 3-pointer of the day to cut the lead to one, and Murphy and Chantel Jordan (Brockton, Mass.) combined for the next four points to give UMass Boston a 57-54 lead with 1:46.
After a scoreless 90 seconds of play, Rebecca Fluet hit a layup to make it 57-56 with 16 seconds to play, before the Falcons forced a turnover to set-up Wodzinski. The senior knocked down the go-ahead shot with seven seconds left and Laura Cote recorded a steal and knocked down two free throws to ice the game.
UMass Boston will have a week off, before the Beacons travel to Mount Ida College next Tuesday at 6 p.m.
