Falcons Topped By Cardinals, 79-62

Bosworth and Tracy combine for 27 points in non-conference setback

Springfield, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped a 79-62 decision to the Cardinals of Wesleyan University in opening round action of the 2017-18 Hampton Inn/West Springfield Naismith Classic this evening, hosted by Springfield College.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 62, Wesleyan 79
Records: Fitchburg State (3-7) | Wesleyan (9-0)

How It Happened

Wesleyan opened the contest on a 7-0 run on a three pointer from senior forward Nathan Krill (Saint Helena, Calif.) and jumpers by senior Jordan Sears (Plainfield, N.J.) and freshman Austin Hutcherson (Freehold, N.J.) before Fitchburg State took a 27-16 advantage after back-to-back treys by junior Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) and classmate Brandon Harris (San Bernardino, Calif.) with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half.

The Cardinals regained the lead (32-29) late in the opening stanza after going on a 16-2 stretch with newcomer Antone Walker (Philadelphia, Penn.) sparking the offensive charge with eight points. Senior Josh Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) sank a pair of free-throws as the Falcons retied the contest at 32 apiece before freshman Jordan James (Vienna, Va.) gave Wesleyan a 34-32 edge going into the half.

Following the intermission, Wesleyan extended its lead (41-35) as Walker, Hutcherson and senior JR Bascom (Edina, Minn.) connected on buckets before the Green and Gold answered back on a three pointer by sophomore Tyrell St. John (Stamford, Conn.) and jumper by Bosworth to make the score 49-44.

Fitchburg State continued to battle, going on a 9-2 run with junior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Bosworth combining for all nine points (66-61). The Cardinals secured the win however as junior Jordan Bonner (Houston, Tex.) buried a trey on Wesleyan's next possession, resulting in the 79-62 final.

Inside the Numbers,

Fitchburg State was paced by Bosworth with a team-leading 14 points and five boards, while Tracy added 13 points and four rebounds.

For Wesleyan, Krill finished with a game-best 17 points and nine caroms, while Hutcherson chipped in with 14 points and eight boards.

Fitchburg State shot 20-for-57 (35.1%) from the field and (9-of-30) 30.0% from beyond the arc.

Wesleyan went 23--for-47 (48.9%) overall and (6-of-19) 30.0% from three point range.

The Cardinal finished with a 43-25 margin on the glass, while the Falcons converted 18 Cardinal turnovers into 20 points on the offensive end.

This evening's contest marked just the second ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood with the Falcons 1-1 all-time when taking on the Cardinals.

Fitchburg State registered an 83-82 overtime win over Wesleyan in the first meeting with the Cardinals at Salem State University (12/30/06).

Up Next

Falcons will take on the Terriers of Thomas College tomorrow in the consolation round of the 2017-18 Naismith Classic at 4:30 P.M. Cardinals will battle the Pride of Springfield College tomorrow in the championship game at 6:30 P.M.