Box Score

VIDEO: Highlights courtesy of Charter TV3

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Senior Hayley Zophin (Framingham, Mass.) recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds to lift the Nichols College women's basketball team to a 68-60 win over Fitchburg State University in non-conference action Monday evening.

Junior Devon Spirka (Wilmington, Vt.) chipped in with 18 points, eight boards and four assists as the Bison improved to 2-0 under first-year head coach Alice Mullen for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign. Sophomore Sarah Whitestone (Dalton, Mass.) was the third Nichols student-athlete in double-figures as she also netted 16 points to go along with five rebounds.

The Bison held the Falcons to just 30 percent shooting from the field (23-of-76) and overcame 23 turnovers - including eight from Spirka. They outrebounded Fitchburg State 46-43.

Junior Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass.) led the Falcons offensive efforts with an all-around effort of 15 points, seven boards, four steals and three assists, while sophomore Kristen Enright (Westminster, Mass.) added a double-double night, posting 14 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Nichols opened with a strong first half, posting an eight-point lead at the break (38-30). Zophin used a strong first half to lead the Bison, posting a near double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds while Whitestone notched a 14 point effort with 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Fahey led the Falcons with nine points, hitting on 4-of-9 attempts from the floor.

The Bison extended their lead to as much as 15 (51-36) in the second half, led by an 11-6 opening run. Lindgren opened the half with a three point play for Nichols, before sophomore Alexis Wegrzynek (Wilbraham, Mass.) added a pair of jumpers and Whitestone chipped in with a pair of free-throws.

Fitchburg State marched back with a run of its own, closing within five (55-50) behind a 10-0 run. Freshman Erica Schneider (Rockland, Mass.) kick started the rally with two free-throws with 11:51 remaining, while Enright added back-to-back buckets at the 10:10 mark. But the Falcons could not cut their deficit any further as as Spirka and the Bison used some clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to seal the victory and maintain a two basket advantage.

The Bison visit Curry for their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Fitchburg State will be back in action on Thursday night as it travels to Rivier College at 7 p.m.

Contributions from Fitchburg State sports information