Falcons Edged By Trailblazers, 79-75

 Falcons Edged By Trailblazers, 79-75
Tracy registers game-best 19 points in conference setback 

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped a tough 79-75 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at the Amsler Athletic Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 75, MCLA 79
Records: Fitchburg State (8-14, 3-6 MASCAC) | MCLA (8-13, 5-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State raced out to an early 10-2 edge as junior guard Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) sparked the run with a trio of baskets, while sophomore Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) added a layup before MCLA responded when freshman Hayden Bird (Clarksburg, Mass.) knocked down a three pointer and sophomore Ki-Shawn Moneroe (Springfield, Mass.) added a jumper to cut the lead to 10-7.

The Trailblazers cut into the deficit, going on a 15-2 run midway through the first half with Bird capping the run for the host with three ball (27-23). The Falcons answered back however as senior Troy DaCosta (Cambridge, Mass.) and junior Brandon Harris (San Bernardino, Calif.) connected on layups for the 36-28 advantage going into the break.

Following the break, MCLA opened the second half with a 9-2 stretch as senior Joseph Wiggins (Pittsfield, Mass.) notched a pair of jumpers, while classmate Keiland Cross (Pittsfield, Mass.) added a three-pointer to cut the lead to just one 38-37.

With just under seven and half minutes left in the second half, the Trailblazers knotted the score at 59-59 as freshman Noah Yearsley (Averill Park, N.Y.) knocked down a three ball. The Green and Gold regained the lead though (67-61) on a bucket by senior Josh Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) and a three-pointer from Tracy.

The back and forth affair continued the two teams trading the lead over the next three minutes before MCLA  took a three point advantage after Bird sank one-of-two shots from the charity stripe. Fitchburg State would have an opportunity to knot the score, but Jonathan Perez's (Lowell, Mass.) three-pointer fell short, resulting in the 79-75 final.

Inside the Numbers,

102nd meeting between the two schools on the basketball court with the Falcons 46-56 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers.

Fitchburg State had won six of the previous seven contests against MCLA with the Trailblazers coming away with a 77-64 victory in the last matchup (1/18/18) earlier this season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was led by Tracy with a game-best 19 points and seven rebounds, while Perez added 12 points and six boards.

For MCLA, Yearsley finished with a team-leading 19 points and four caroms, while senior Adam Conquest (Gardner, Mass.) chipped in with a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds.

Fitchburg State shot 28-for-74 (37.8%) from the field and (8-of-27) 29.6% from beyond the arc.

MCLA went 29--for-69 (42.0%) overall and (8-of-24) 33.3% from three point range.

The Falcons held a 47-43 margin on the glass, while the Trailblazers finished with a slim 34-32 edge in points in the paint.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Lancers of Worcester State on Saturday for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 2:00 P.M. Trailblazers will take on the Gators of Pine Manor College at Williams College on the same day for a non-conference tilt at 12:00 P.M.