Falcons Soar Past Blazers, 82-70

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team posted an 82-70 victory over the Blazers of Elms College in non-conference action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 82, Elms 70
Records: Fitchburg State (2-4) | Elms (0-6)

How It Happened

Elms raced out to an early 14-7 lead to start the contest as sophomore Michal Ohradka (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and junior Pablo Ortiz (Newington, Conn.) ignited the run with five points apiece.

Fitchburg State reeled off five straight points with jumpers from junior Kameron Jimenex-Fox (Boston, Mass.) and Jordan Jones (Worcester, Mass.) to cut the deficit to 22-18 midway through the first stanza. Back-to-back three pointers from Ortiz and Justin Feliciano (Springfield, Mass.) extend the Blazers lead to 39-30 with 3:09 to play.

Freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) capped off a 9-2 run by the Green and Gold with a trey from the corner to make it a 41-39 game at intermission.

Following the break, the Blazers extend their margin (44-41) on a layup from sophomore Andre Peguero (Boynton Beach, Fla.) before the Falcons took its first lead of the second half on a layup from Jimenez-Fox to make the score 47-46.

Elms responded with a bucket by Peguero to regain lead at 51-49, but the Green and Gold would answered back, going on a 9-0 run, capped by a Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) layup for the 58-51 margin.

The visitors cut the deficit to 69-64 on a pair of free throw by Ortiz before Fitchburg State secured the victory as junior Tyrell St. John (Stamford, Conn.) connected on a layup, resulting in the 82-70 final.

Inside the Numbers

Fitchburg State was led by McKenzie with a game-leading 21 points and six boards, while Jimenez-Fox and Perez both added 16 points.

The Blazers had four players reach double figures, paced by Ortiz with 17 to go along with eight caroms, while Ohradka finished with 16 points and three rebounds.

Fitchburg State went 31-for-72 (43.1%) overall and (7-for-30) 23.3% from three point range.

Elms shot 24-for-61 (39.3%) from the field and (7-of-21) 33.3% from beyond the arc.

The Falcons held a 46-35 edge on the glass, while the Blazers converted 13 turnovers into 21 points.

This evening's contest marked the fifth meeting between the two squads on the basketball court with the Falcons currently 3-2 all-time when taking on the Blazers.

Fitchburg State has won the last two matchups with Elms. Including an 86-69 decision last season at the Maguire Center.

Up Next

Falcons host the Engineers of WPI on Saturday at noon while Elms will host the Owls of Westfield State at 3:00pm on the same day.