Newton, Mass. (12/4/12) - The Lasell College women's basketball team lost their first home contest of the season, 66-55 to Fitchburg State on Tuesday evening. Fitchburg improves to 2-4 with the victory, while Lasell slips to 3-4 overall and 2-1 at home.

Sophomore Danielle Autencio (Montville, Conn.) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds for Lasell, and was joined in double figures by freshmen Molly Lauver (Cambridge, N.Y.) who added 10 points. Fitchburg got a double-double from junior forward Amy Fahey (Wilmington, Mass.) who finished with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds. Classmate Laura Cote (Ashby, Mass.) chipped in with 14 points for the Falcons.

A nip and tuck first half, in which neither team led by more than four points, saw Lasell take a narrow 26-24 lead at the half. Lasell shot 38% from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, and held Fitchburg to 21% shooting from the field. The Falcons finished 10-14 from the foul line compared to 1-2 for the hosts, to offset their shooting woes.

Lasell pushed their lead to 37-28 four minutes into the second half on the strength of an 11-4 run capped by a Lauver three pointer. Fitchburg answered right back with a 10-0 run, using a pair of baskets by Fahey and a three pointer from Andrea DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) to take a 38-37 lead.

After trading baskets over the next several minutes, Lasell tied the game at 54-54 on an Autencio layup with 4:11 remaining in the game. The hosts were unable to convert, missing their next four shots, while also having a pair of turnovers, while Fahey and Cote combined to tally the next six points for their squad and build a 60-54 lead under a minute to play. The Falcons were able to close the game out from the free throw line.

Fitchburg will be back on the floor on Saturday December 8th when they host Emerson in a 1 p.m. non-conference matchup. Lasell will travel to Westfield State for a 7 p.m. contest as they look to even their record at 4-4.