Fitchburg, Mass. - Host Fitchburg State broke open a back-and-forth affair with a game-clinching 18-1 run over an eight minute stretch midway through the second half to claim a decisive 72-51 win over visiting Clark on Tuesday evening at the Recreation Center in the season-opening contest for both teams.

With the score sitting at 50-46 in favor of the Falcons following a jumper by Clark freshman Theresa Pickens (Worcester, Mass.), FSC went on their game-altering run which was aided by eight straight missed shots and nine turnovers by the Cougars.

Fitchburg's lead grew to as many as 22 late in the second half at 71-49 following a three by Molly Maloney, who connected on five of the Falcons' 11 triples on the evening.

Neither team shot well from the floor, and the squads combined for 53 turnovers.

FSC had four players in double figures led by Maloney and Rebecca Goreham, who each had a game-high 17. Goreham added 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals to her totals. Joining them in double digits were Kelley Rogers and Kim Duprey with 12 points. Clark was paced by Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.), and her 12 points and nine rebounds and freshman Kelsey Giedymin's (Shrewsbury, Mass.) 10 points.

The Cougars (0-1) will look to crack the win column on Friday when they take part in the Bridgewater State DAngelos Tip-Off Classic. They will face William Patterson with a tip time slated for 7:30 p.m.