Falcons Defeated By Wildcats, 88-72

Providence, R.I. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped an 88-72 decision to the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University this evening in non-conference action from the Wildcat Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 72, JWU 88
Records: Fitchburg State (2-7) | JWU (3-3)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State grabbed a 5-2 advantage to start the contest on a jumper by junior Kameron Jimenez-Fox (Boston, Mass.) and a three ball from freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) before Johnson and Wales went on a 9-0 run as senior Matt Madoian (North Kingstown, R.I.) connected on a trio of three pointers for the 11-5 lead.

The Green and Gold responded with a three pointer of their own with senior Charlie Ollis (Mobile, Ala.) draining one from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to 18-12, but the Wildcats extended their margin (32-15) on a pair of free-throws by freshman Danny Ampofo (New Haven, Conn.).

Junior Jordan Jones (Worcester, Mass.) hit a jumper for Fitchburg State with 2:32 remaining in the first half before Johnson and Wales ended the half with a 6-0 stretch, capped by a pair of free-throws from sophomore Donovan Maxfield (York, Penn.) for the 47-25 advantage going into the break.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State continued to battle as senior Anselm Edegbe (Benin, Nigeria) and junior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) hit jumpers to cut the lead to 52-34, but Ampofo knocked down a three-pointers for Johnson and Wales to put the host up 64-41.

The Falcons answered back with seven straight points from Jimenez-Fox to make the score 66-52 before the Wildcats secured the win as sophomore Justin Bullock (Spring Valley, N.Y.) hit a jumper, resulting in the 88-72 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Tracy with 17 points and five assists
• McKenzie and freshman Romello Samuels (Meriden, Conn.) netted nine points each for Fitchburg State
• Junior Brian Horgan-Gary (Staten Island, N.Y.) finished with 26 points and 16 boards for the Wildcats
• Ampofo  chipped in with 18 points and two assists for JWU
• Second meeting between two schools with Falcons 0-2 all-time vs the Wildcats
• Fitchburg State shot 28-for-64 (43.8%) from the field and (9-for-22) 40.9% from three point range
• Johnson and Wales finished 27-of-61 (44.3%) overall and (7-for-12) 58.3% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a slim 44-43 margin on the glass
• Wildcats finished with a narrow 17-15 edge in assists

Up Next

Falcons will travel to MIT on Saturday to take on the Engineers for a non-conference tilt, starting at 1:00 PM. Wildcats will visit Wesleyan University on Thursday for a non-conference bout at 7:00 PM.