Nichols Shoots Past Fitchburg State, 63-49

Henneberry and Kimber drop eight apiece in Falcons non-conference setback 

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 30, 2010) – Sophomore Kyle Mascilak (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) registered a game-high 14 points to lead Nichols College to a 63-49 non-conference victory over Fitchburg State University this evening.

ELLIOT KNOWER

Mascilak led the Bison offensive attack, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and a perfect 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Classmate Justin Kuntz (Wallingford, Conn./Sheehan) was also strong in the Nichols victory with 13 points, missing only one shot on the night (4--5 FG, 1-1 3ptr, 4-4 FT), while sophomore Steven Galgano (Ansonia, Conn./Notre Dame) added nine points off the bench.

Nichols used a solid offensive showing and strong defensive attack to earn its second victory of the season. The Bison shot 46.0% from the field, hitting 23 of their 50 attempts, while holding Fitchburg State to only 21.7% for the game (15-of-69).

In the first half, Nichols grabbed an eight point lead at the break, using a balanced offensive effort as seven players registered field goals. Junior Michael Salis (Nashua, N.H./Nashua) paced the Bison with six points in the period, while Mascilak and Kuntz each added five. Junior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) and sophomore Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) kept the Falcons within striking distance, combining for 11 points the frame, while also pulling in nine, combined rebounds.

In the second half, Nichols began pulling away, using a 17-5 run over the first six minutes for a commanding 20 point lead at the 14:00 mark. Mascilak ignited the Bison rally with a three pointer in the opening minute before Kuntz connected for a pair of layups to cap the surge. Nichols added to its lead just four minutes later, going up by 26 on four consecutive, Kuntz free-throws and maintained its double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest.

Kimber and Henneberry led the Fitchburg State offense with eight points apiece, while senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) notched seven points and ten boards in the loss.

Fitchburg State (1-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to Becker College at 7 p.m. Nichols (2-5, 0-0 TCCC) will host Anna Maria College next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Nichols 63, Fitchburg State 49