Eastern Conneticut Rolls Past Worcester State

Eastern Connecticut 72, Worcester State 35

Box Score

Willamantic, CT --- The Eastern Connecticut State University women’s basketball team scored 16 straight points in the opening minutes on the way to its eighth straight win, 72-35 over Worcester State College Wednesday night at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.

It marked the fourth time in the last five games and sixth time this year that Eastern (9-1) has allowed its opponent 40 or less points. The home game was the first for Eastern since a 59-26 win over Mount Holyoke College nearly a month ago. Worcester (4-8) has dropped its last four decisions to Eastern in losing for the 25th time in 33 decisions against the Warriors since 1976-77.

Eastern scored 16 straight points over the first six minutes after Worcester connected on its first shot. After missing their first two buckets, the Warriors connected on nine in a row to move out to a 20-4 lead. Senior post player Ashley McFetridge (Canton, CT) scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in that early run, with senior guard Nicky Morey (Columbia, CT) contributing five straight points on a jumper and a conventional three-point play.

All 14 Eastern players saw action and contributed a point or rebound. McFetridge led both teams with 18 points and shared game-high rebounding honors with ten. Sophomore guard Jessica Moriarty (East Haven, CT) had 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals and senior point guard Christina Amato (Marlboro, MA) nine points, six rebounds and four steals. Appearing in her first game at Eastern, sophomore guard Amanda Pierlioni (Plainville, CT) came off the bench for two points, six rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes. Pierlioni joined the team Sunday after three semesters at Division I Bryant University.

Junior forward Bri Flanders (Southampton, MA) matched McFetridge of Eastern with ten rebounds while sophomore guard Alexis George (Worcester, MA) topped the Lancers with eight points.

Eastern visits the No. 20 nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Saturday at 1 p.m. in a re-match of last year’s Little East Conference championship game that was won by Eastern. Eastern, Southern Maine and Western Connecticut share the top spot in the conference at 2-0.

Worcester State will open up MASCAC play against MCLA on Saturday at 3 PM at home.

Release Courtsy of Eastern Connecticut Sports Information