Falcons Nip Terriers, 80-78

Allen nets season best 18 points for Falcons in non-conference victory

Springfield, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team defeated the Terriers of Thomas College, 80-78 in the consolation round game of the 2017-18 Hampton Inn West Springfield/ Naismith tournament, hosted by Springfield College.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 80, Thomas 78
Records: Fitchburg State (4-7) | Thomas (5-5)

How It Happened

Thomas raced out to an early 15-0 lead as sophomore guard Zach Mackinnon (Kennebunk, Maine) connected on a pair of three pointers, while freshman Justin Butler (Orlando, Fla.) and classmate Angel Gonzalez (Orlando, Fla.) added one bucket each.

Fitchburg State answered back, cutting the deficit to 19-17 on a pair of trifectas from freshman guard Anthony Allen (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and a trey by sophomore Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.).

The Falcons took the lead on a jumper by junior Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) with 4:21 left in the half before extending its margin (36-28) following a layup from senior Josh Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) before the Terriers capped the first half scoring as newcomer Demetris Webster (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) netted his first basket of the contest to make the score 36-32 going into the break.

Following intermission, Fitchburg State added to its advantage (42-35) on jumpers from graduate student Troy DaCosta (Cambridge, Mass.) and Bosworth before Thomas regained the lead on a basket by Mackinnon for the 45-44 edge.

The Green and Gold took the lead again after a jumper from junior Brandon Harris (San Bernardino, Calif.) for the 49-47 edge, but the Terriers responded with a layup from senior Carlos Gonzalez (Kennebunk, Maine) to put Tomas back on top, 55-54,

The back and forth affair continued throughout the remainder of the contest as the final five minutes featured ten lead changes as the Falcons gained control of the contest following a free-throw by DaCosta (78-77) with 27 seconds left, before holding on for an 80-78 victory.

Inside the Numbers,

Fitchburg State was led by Allen with a game-best 18 points and two caroms, while Bosworth added 15 points and five rebounds.

For Thomas, Mackinnon finished with a team-leading 15 points and five boards, while Angel Gonzalez chipped in with 14 points and three rebounds.

Fitchburg State shot 29-for-63 (46.0%) from the field and (7-of-24) 29.2% from three point land.

Thomas went 33--for-64 (51.6%) overall and (6-of-17) 35.3% from beyond the arc.

The Terriers held a 55-30 advantage on the glass, while the Falcons bench contributed 47 points in the win.

First ever meeting between the two schools on the parquet.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Brandeis on Wednesday to take on the Judges for a contest starting at 6:00 P.M. Terriers will visit New England College on Friday for a 7:30 P.M. tipoff.