FALCONS FALL TO GATORS 104-80

Hill paces FSU with 21 points 

 FITCHBURG, Mass. – Pine Manor College (10-5) defeated Fitchburg State University (6-8), 104-80 in a non-conference men's basketball contest at the Recreation Center on the campus of FSU on Monday afternoon. 

In the first half, the teams were tied eight times with seven lead changes until the Gators broke the game open with a 22-6 run in the late in the first frame. With the Falcons trailing by one after a made layup by Jalen Williams, the Gators scored eight unanswered points – including five points from Rasheed Bell – to secure a 36-27 cushion.

The Green and Gold managed to cut their deficit to eight with 6:53 remaining, but the visitors would go up by as many as 18 in the opening stanza. Three Pine Manor players would finish the first half in double figures, with Taverick Roberson, Curtis Hyman and Bell each collecting 12 points. Lance Hill paced the Falcons with 11 first half points.

In the first half, Pine Manor shot 53.8% (21-39) from the field. The Falcons meanwhile went 15-34 (44.1%) from the floor in the opening half.

Fitchburg battled back to open the second half, outscoring the visitors 11-4 to make it a 59-51 game with 17:47 to go. However, Pine Manor continued to shoot well from the hardwood in the second half, and a tre from Taverick Roberson at the 11:27 mark put the game out of reach for the Falcons.

For the Falcons, senior Lance Hill had a team-leading 21 points. Senior guard Leonny Burgos chipped in with 15 points and junior Josh Bosworth finished with 13 points for the Green and Gold.

Pine Manor was led by Taverick Roberson with a game-high 29 points, while Rahseed Bell had the games only double-double with 20 points and 10 boards.

Overall, Fitchburg State shot 47.1% (32-68) from the floor, 27.3% (3-11) from three-point range. Pine Manor countered by shooting 50.6% (40-79) from the field, 47.1% (8-17) from downtown.

Fitchburg State hosts MCLA on Wednesday night in a MASCAC clash starting at 5:30pm. Pine Manor will be back in action on Thursday, January 19th as they host Lyndon State at 7:30pm.