Falcons Upended By Rams, 64-56

St. John registers team-leading 19 points in MASCAC setback 

Framingham, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped a 64-56 decision to the Rams of Framingham State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Athletics and Recreation Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 56, Framingham State 64
Records: Fitchburg State (7-12, 3-4 MASCAC) | Framingham State (6-14, 2-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Framingham State took an early 6-0 lead on three buckets from junior Charles Valbrun (Hyde Park, Mass.). Fitchburg State answered back to take a 9-8 edge as senior Troy DaCosta (Cambridge, Mass.) connected on a layup midway through the first half.

With the score tied at 13-13, the Falcons grabbed a 15-13 margin on a jumper by senior Josh Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.), but the Rams regained the lead with five minutes left in the half as Valbrun drilled a three pointer before expanding their lead as junior Manny Payton (Fitchburg, Mass.) hit a jumper late in the frame to give the hosts a 30-25 advantage going into the intermission.

Following the intermission, the Green and Gold regained the lead (34-33) on a free-throw by junior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) before the Rams answered back on a layup from Payton to take a 35-34 edge.

With the score 40-36, Fitchburg State cut the deficit in half on a basket by newcomer Anthony Allen (East Longmeadow, Mass.) but Framingham State responded with a 7-0 run on buckets from Valbrun and Payton to make the score 47-38.

The back and forth battle continued on a pair of layups by junior Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) for the Falcons (47-42). The Rams secured the victory however as senior Ben Roache (Dighton, Mass.) sank a pair of free-throws, resulting in the 64-56 final.

Inside the Numbers,

87th meeting between the two schools on the basketball court with the Falcons 37-50 all-time when taking on the Rams.

Fitchburg State had won the last eight meeting with Framingham State, including a 74-52 decision earlier this season (1/6/17) at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Tyrell St. John (Stamford, Conn.) with team-leading 19 points and four boards, while Bosworth added a double-double of 15 points and ten rebounds.

For Framingham State, Payton finished with a game-best 22 points and five rebounds, while Valbrun chipped in 19 points and eight boards.

Fitchburg State shot 24-for-76 (31.6%) from the field and (3-of-15) 20.0% from beyond the arc.

Framingham State went 26--for-59 (44.1%) overall and (7-of-15) 46.7% from three point range.

The Falcons finished with a 50-41 margin on the boards, while also holding a 22-9 advantage in bench points.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Vikings of Salem State University on Wednesday for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 7:30 P.M. Rams will visit Worcester State University on the same date for a conference bout at 7:30 P.M.