Boston, MA - In a non-conference match up against Fisher College and Simmons College Tuesday evening, the Falcons fell by a score of 91-64. Fisher falls to 1-10 on the season while Simmons improves to 3-7.
The game started in Sharks' favors when Gracie Rolfe hit a jump shot to put the Sharks up 6-0. Murphy Carroll (Methuen, MA) hit a layup while getting fouled to cut the Sharks lead to 8-3. Presley Silva made a layup for the Sharks to put them up 12-3 over the Falcons. Murphy Carroll again hit a layup to cut the lead to 12-5 with just over 14 minutes left to play in the half.
With just under 12 minutes to play, Silva hits a layup to put the Sharks up by nine, 14-5. Victoria Park (Lynn, MA) hit a jump shot to bring the Falcons score to seven, but the Sharks led 18-7. Alexis Akridge (Union, NJ) then got fouled and hit both shots to bring the score to 18-9. Ashley McAdams hit a layup for the Sharks before Emily Smith (Oxford, NY) hit a jumper for the Falcons, bringing the score to 24-15.
The Falcons went on a run and and came within four points of the Sharks, 26-22. Camila Da Silva (Everett, MA) knotted the game at 27 when she hit a layup. Smith then pulled the Falcons ahead when she hit a jumper, putting the Falcons up 29-28. The Sharks managed to bounce back and take the lead, but Christine Briggs (Rumford, ME) hit a shot putting the Falcons back up. Time ran out in the first half with the Sharks leading by three, 36-33.
Murphy Carroll took charge for the Falcons, scoring 15 points in the first half. Shakieya Roland-Drake (Boston, MA), Briggs, and Smith also contributed to the Falcons' first half, all scoring four points apiece.
Jennifer Janiak lit the path for the Sharks in the first half, scoring 11 points. Rofle and McAdams were also first-half leaders, both scoring six points. Silva was another key player, scoring five points for the Sharks.
The Falcons came out strong in the second half, scoring five points and knotting the game at 38. The Sharks went up 40-38 before Murphy Carroll got fouled and brought the score to 40-39. Simmons then went on a 13-point run to bring the score to 53-41. Shark momentum kicked up a notch and took advantage of the Falcons, going up 66-45 with just over 10 minutes left in the game.
The Sharks went on a nine-point run to take a 75-48 lead over the Falcons. Simmons continued to pressure the Falcons and allowed the Falcons to only score five points over the next four minutes. In those four minutes, the Sharks put up 10 points and gained an 85-53 lead. Murphy Carroll hit a three to bring the score to 85-56. Silva blocked a Falcon shot and was fouled on the play and brought to the line for two points, hitting one. The Sharks took an 89-62 lead when Silva hit the shot. Casey Halle then hit the final shot of the game to finalize the score at 91-64 in Simmons' favor.
Janiak dominated the court for the Sharks, scoring 30 points and grabbing three rebounds. McAdams (14 points, eight rebounds) and Rolfe (12 points, five rebounds) were also key in the Sharks' victory.
Murphy Carroll led the Falcons with 27 points and seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough to help the Falcons to a victory. Roland-Drake was another key player for the Falcons, scoring 19 points and grabbing five boards.
The Falcons return to action Thursday, January 8, when they head to Plymouth State University for a 2:00 pm tipoff. Simmons returns to action on Thursday as well when they host Lyndon State for a 7:00 pm tipoff.