Fitchburg State Defeats Worcester State, 81-71

Falcons collect first conference victory behind Valliere’s 18 points

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 8, 2011) – The Fitchburg State men’s basketball team earned its first MASCAC victory of the season, defeating Worcester State University 81-71 in conference action this evening.

Sophomore Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) led Fitchburg State to its fourth victory of the season, coming within one rebound shy of a double-double. The first-year Falcons totaled a game-high 18 points and nine rebound, while junior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) was also strong with 12 points, hitting 2-of-6 from three point range and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. Senior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) also hit double-figures with 11 points and four boards.

Senior Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) and sophomore Monte Goodwin (Boston, Mass./Belmont) led the Worcester State offense, scoring 12 points apiece, while freshman Emmanuel Ferraud (Worcester, Mass./South) chipped in with ten points and six rebounds off the bench.

Trailing 42-35 after one period of play, Fitchburg State came out soaring early in the second half, posting 16-8 run in the opening five minutes of the period to gain a one point advantage (51-50). It would be lead the Falcons would never relinquish as Hopkins and Kimber expanded the Fitchburg State margin with a handful of three pointers. Kimber gave the Falcons the early lift, posting a one point lead with a trey at the 15:05 mark, before Hopkins broke open a nine point advantage with a trifecta at 10:26.

The Falcons went up by as much as 13 with under three minutes remaining but Fitchburg State sealed its fate with clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch, hitting a perfect 8-of-8 from the line. Kimber led the Falcon second half scorers with 12 points, while Hopkins added nine on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.  

Fitchburg State used a 41.9% second half shooting effort to earn the victory, overcoming a seven point, first-half deficit with 50.0 shooting from long range (6-of-12). The Falcons controlled the glass with a 44-40 margin in rebounds and also coughed the ball up 11 times throughout the match.

Fitchburg State (4-16, 1-8 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Salem State University at 3 p.m. Worcester State (6-15, 4-4 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State University on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 81, Worcester State 71