Falcons Defeated By Pilgrims, 78-64

Bosworth registers team-best 21 points and nine boards in non-conference setback 

Middlebury, Vt. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team suffered a tough 78-64 setback to the Pilgrims of New England College this afternoon in the consolation game of the 2017-18 Middlebury College Tip-Off Tournament at the Pepin Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 64, New England College 78
Records: Fitchburg State (0-2) | New England College (1-1)

How It Happened

In the low-scoring opening half, the Pilgrims jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the opening three minutes of play, fueled by five points from Ricky Leonard. That advantage moved to nine (13-4) on a jumper by Calvin Cheek with 10:38 remaining. The Falcons answered with a 16-4 run over the next five minutes, capped off on layup from senior Josh Bosworth for a 20-17 edge.

On the next possession, a three-point field goal from New England College's Trevor Parker knotted the contest at 20-20. The Pilgrims ended the half with 13 of the last 15 minutes, including a three from the left corner by Parker as the halftime buzzer sounded for a 33-22 lead.

Out of the half, the Falcons scored 12 of the opening 15 points, cutting the deficit to just two (36-34) on a layup from junior Jerrell Gomes with 15:31 left. The Pilgrim lead moved between two and seven over the next few minutes, before a layup from Fitchburg State's Nicholas Tracy pulled the Falcons to within one (52-51) with just over nine minutes remaining. 

After trading threes, the Pilgrims rattled off an 11-2 run for a 66-56 lead and were never threatened again the rest of the contest.

Izaiah Winston-Brooks paced three Pilgrims in double figures with 21 points for all-tournament honors. Leonard and Parker each added 13. Kareem Octavien pulled down a team-best eight rebounds, while three Pilgrims each had three assists.

Bosworth led the Falcons 21 points and nine rebounds, while junior Brandon Harris had 14 points off the bench.l Gomes scored 12 points to go along with three assists for Fitchburg State, garnering him all-tournament honors.

Inside the Numbers

Fitchburg State shot 25-of-62 (40.3%) from the field, including (22-for-34) 64.7% from the charity strip.

New England College finished 24-for-58 (41.4%) overall and (13-of-16) 81.3% from the free-throw line

The Pilgrims controlled the boards, holding a 43-36 margin on the glass, while the Falcons held a 5-3 advantage in second chance points.

This afternoon's contest marked the eighth meeting between the two schools with the Falcons 6-2 all-time when taking on the Pilgrims.

Two teams split the previous two meeting with Fitchburg State coming away with a 78-45 victory in the last meeting with New England College (12/2/2014).

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Southern Vermont to take on the Mountaineers on Tuesday for a contest starting at 7:30 P.M. Pilgrims will host the Raiders of Rivier University on the same day for a 5:30 P.M. start time.

Portions of release courtesy of Middlebury SID Office