Kirsy Segarra makes a fast break layup vs. Fitchburg State. (Courtesy of Westfield State Sports)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State junior guard Kirsy Segarra (Holyoke, Mass.) scored a game-high 24 points, including 21 points in the first half, leading the Owls to a 102-60 victory over Fitchburg State Saturday afternoon at the Woodward Center.
Segarra nailed her first three three-pointers of the game, shooting over the top of the Falcons 2-3 zone, and swiped five steals in the first half as Westfield State opened up a 29-point halftime lead. The Owls forced 27 Falcons turnovers in the first half, leading to 29 points.
Westfield led from start to finish, improving to 13-6, 6-1 in the MASCAC. Fitchburg State drops to 0-19 on the season, 0-7 in league play.
Jill Valley (Orange, Mass.), the second-leading scorer in the MASCAC, finished with 21 points, 6 steals, and 3 rebounds, while freshman guard Lucy Barrett (Williamstown, Mass.) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Twelve different players scored for the Owls, who assisted on 23 of their 37 made field goals. Freshman guard Caitlin MacGregor (Hampden, Mass.), an All-MASCAC soccer player, registered two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in her first action since joining the team this week.
Westfield State, which leads the nation in offensive rebounding, corralled more than 52 percent of their own missed shots (28 offensive rebounds), leading to 24 second-chance points.
Fitchburg State was also strong on the offensive glass, pulling down 21 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points. Both Michaela McTomney (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Erika Schneider (11 points, 10 rebounds) registered double-doubles for the Falcons.
Junior guard Shabelli Villa (Lawrence, Mass.) led Fitchburg with 18 points, drilling 4-of-9 three-point attempts. Freshman guard Hannah Keohan (Rockland, Mass.) and McTomney led the Falcons with four assists each, while Keohan also added 8 points and 7 rebounds.
The Owls registered 32 steals on the game and forced 45 Falcon turnovers. Twelve different players recorded at least one steal for Westfield. Owls freshman guard Allison Hester (Suttton, Mass.) led all players with 6 assists, in addition to grabbing 7 rebounds.
Westfield State hosts Williams College on Monday, February 1 at 7 p.m. in their last nonconference game of the season. Fitchburg looks to break through into the winner’s circle against Pine Manor on February 3 at 7 p.m.
