Falcons Upended By Anchormen, 87-64 In Season Opener

St. John and Platt combine for 32 points in non-conference setback

Providence, R.I. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team opened its 2018-19 campaign this evening, dropping an 87-64 decision to the Anchormen of Rhode Island College in non-conference action from the Murray Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 64, Rhode Island College 87
Records: Fitchburg State (0-1) | Rhode Island College (1-0)

How It Happened

Rhode Island College took an early 7-2 lead following a layup from junior Benjamin Vezele (Providence, R.I./Wilbraham & Monson) before Fitchburg State answered with a jumper by senior Charlie Ollis (Mobile, Ala./McGill-Toolen) (7-4).

The Falcons continued to chip away at the deficit as junior Tyrell St. John (Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic) drained a three-ball to make the score 14-8, but the Anchormen responded with a  9-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore  Adam Floyd (Worcester, Mass./Putnam Science Academy) (23-8), en-route to a 45-28 advantage at the half.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State cut into the deficit as junior Kewan Platt (Jamaica Plane, Mass./Charlestown) knocked down a jumper, but Rhode Island College answered back with a Vezele layup for the 47-30 edge. 

Platt and junior Kameron Jimenez-Fox (Boston, Mass./Dorchester) connected on back-to-back buckets for the Green and Gold to make the score 54-35 before the Anchormen secured the victory as Vezele sank a pair of free-throws, resulting in the 87-64 final.

By The Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the 29th meeting between the two teams in the sport of men's basketball with the Falcons currently 6-23 all-time when taking on the Anchormen.

Fitchburg State had won three of the previous four meetings with Rhode Island College, including a 77-75 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Falcons were paced by St. John with a team-leading 17 points, one steal and one block, while Platt finished with 15 points, seven boards and one steal

For the Anchormen, Vezele led all scorers with 21 points, nine rebounds, one assist, three steals and five blocks, while Floyd added 18 points, seven caroms, two steals and two blocks.

Fitchburg State finished 21-of-74 (28.4%) from the field, including (6-of-23) 26.1 % from beyond the arc, while RIC shot 83.8% (25-of-61) overall and 6-for-23 (26.1%) from three-point land.

The Anchormen held a 49-46 margin on the glass, while the Falcons concluded the contest with 18 second chance points.

Up Next

The Falcons will host the Lasers of Lasell College on Saturday in their 2018-19 home opener for a non-conference matchup, starting at 12:00 PM. Anchormen will travel to Elms College on the same day for a non-conference bout at 4:00 PM.