Fitchburg State Runs Past Mount Ida, 64-55

Verdi leads Falcons to second consecutive victory with a game-high 16 points

NEWTON, Mass. (December 9, 2010) –The Fitchburg State men's basketball team earned its second consecutive victory, defeating Mount Ida College, 64-55 in non-conference action this evening.

Mount Ida led in the beginning of the first half (16:36) up 4-2 after a successful lay-in by junior captain Isiah Benjamin (Windsor, Conn./The Masters School) but Fitchburg State countered  with a 9-0 run leading 11-4 after a jumper by freshman Josh Stambovsky (Longmeadow, Mass./Longmeadow) with 12:33 on the clock.

The Mustangs rallied back over the next couple minutes to regain the advantage, 16-15 at 9:28, following another lay-in by Benjamin, but that was the last time Mount Ida saw the lead as the Falcons broke open the contest, posting a seven point margin with a 10-2 run.

Junior Stephen Verdi (Revere, Mass./Malden) led the Fitchburg State first half effort with ten points in the frame, while juniors Donald Hunt (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) and Brad Girouard (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) added four points apiece.

In the second half, Fitchburg Stated padded its lead, totaling a game-high 14 point advantage (41-27) by the 15:00 mark. The Falcons opened the period with a 10-5 run as Girouard connected on a pair of jumpers and senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) added a bucket in the paint.

The Falcon lead remained in the double digits down the stretch and ultimately handed Mount Ida their fourth consecutive loss downed 64-55. Fitchburg State controlled the glass, 42-34, while shooting over 40.0% from the floor.

Fitchburg State had three players finish in double figures with Verdi posting a game-high 16 points. Knower shot 8-of-12 from the three-throw line, totaling 14 points and seven boards, while junior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) chipped in ten points and four dishes.

Fitchburg State (3-6, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts WPI at 3 p.m. Mount Ida (2-5, 0-2 GNAC) visits Wheelock College on Tuesday evening starting at 6 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 64, Mount Ida 55