Falcons Clipped By Rams, 73-71

Framingham, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped a tough 73-71 decision to the Rams of Framingham State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon from the Athletic Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 71, Framingham State 73
Records: Fitchburg State (4-9, 0-1 MASCAC) | Framingham State (2-11, 1-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Framingham State opened the scoring with a bucket from sophomore Cameron McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) before Fitchburg State answered as junior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) knocked down a three ball, while classmate Tyrell St. John (Stamford, Conn.) hit a jumper for the 5-2 advantage.

The Falcons upped its lead to 12-7 on a jumper by freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.), but the Rams responded as sophomore James Purcell (Leominster, Mass.) hit a basket to cut the lead to 12-9. Framingham State chipped away at the deficit as junior Tyri Hampton (Fitchburg, Mass.) connected on a three-ball before Fitchburg State took a 32-25 edge into the break as McKenzie sank one of two from the charity stripe.

Following the break, Fitchburg State extended it advantage (36-25) on buckets from Tracy and junior Jordan Jones (Worcester, Mass.). Framingham State answered back, going on a 10-0 run, keyed by six points from sophomore Trevor Manyak (Bolton, Mass.) to make the score 36-35.

The Falcons upped it margin (44-37) however on a pair of baskets from Tracy. The Rams battled back to knot the score at 46-46 on a three-point play by freshman Tomas Donoyan (Belmont, Mass.) before Fitchburg State answered with a three-ball by senior Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) for the 49-46 margin.

Framingham State retied the contest 69-69 on a three ball by Hampton, but Fitchburg State regained the lead on two free-throws from Tracy. The Rams would knot the score at 71 on a jumper by Hampton before taking its first lead of the second half with roughly 12 seconds remaining in regulation on a bucket from Payton, resulting in the 73-71 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Tracy with a team-leading 22 points and six boards
• Perez added 22 points and three caroms for Fitchburg State
• Payton led all scorers with 24 points and five assists for the Rams
• Hampton chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds for Framingham State
• 88th meeting between two schools with Falcons 37-51 all-time vs the Rams
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-65 (36.9%) from the field and (8-for-17) 47.1% from three point land
• Framingham State finished 30-of-66 (45.5%) overall and (6-for-17) 35.3% from beyond the arc
• Fitchburg State held a 46-40 margin in rebounds
• Rams finished with a narrow 18-14 edge in second chance points

Up Next

Falcons will host the Vikings of Salem State University on Wednesday for a MASCAC clash, starting at 5:30 PM. Rams will visit Worcester State University on the same date for a conference matchup at 5:30 PM.