Falcons Rebound Over Rams, 72-56

Framingham, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Rams of Framingham State University, 72-56 this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Recreation and Athletics Center.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 72, Framingham State 56

Fitchburg State (8-11, 2-4 MASCAC) I Framingham State (1-18. 0-6 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Framingham State opened the contest on a 7-0 run, capped by a John Kalton (Somerville, Mass.) three-pointer before Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 7-6 as sophomore Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) connected on back-to-back trey's.

The Rams responded with a three-ball from Jamal Gordon-Anderson (Framingham, Mass.) for the 12-6 edge, but the Falcons answered back with a 10-0 run on buckets by freshman Xavier Betancourt (Tampa, Fla.), senior Jordin Jones (Worcester, Mass.), newcomer Toskany Abreu (Beverly, Mass.) and sophomore Devon Johnson (Washington, D.C.) for the 24-16 advantage.

The Green and Gold extended their margin (32-18) when Betancourt connected on a jumper. The hosts countered with junior Cameron McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) registering a pair of layups to make the score 34-22 going into the break.

Following the intermission, Framingham State went on an 8-0 stretch, capped by a Gordon-Anderson layup to cut the deficit to 40-34, but Fitchburg State extended its lead (46-34) as Jones notched a basket.

The Falcons upped their margin to 54-36 with Betancourt draining a three ball before the Rams countered with a James Purcell (Leominster, Mass.) layup. The Green and Gold pushed the lead to 66-43 when Abreu knocked down another three-pointer.

Freshman Zaire Peart (Worcester, Mass.) and junior Keith Hollman (Cambridge, Mass.) registered buckets for Framingham State to reduce the lead to 69-51, but Fitchburg State secured the victory as sophomore Dominik Williams (Newark, Del.) hit a three-pointer, resulting in the 72-56 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Betancourt with a team-best 13 points and ten caroms
• Johnson, Abreu and McKenzie added 12 points each for Fitchburg State
• For the Rams, McCloud-Thomas notched a game-leading 16 points and four boards
• Gordon-Anderson chipped in with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks for Framingham State
• 90th meeting between Fitchburg State and Framingham State on the court with the Falcons 38-52 all-time vs. the Rams
• Fitchburg State shot 27-for-65 (41.5%) from the field and (8-of-13) 61.5% from three point range
• Framingham State finished 24-of-59 (40.7%) overall and (3-for-9) 33.3% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a narrow 43-37 margin on the boards

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Salem State on Saturday to take on the Vikings for a MASCAC tilt, starting at 2:00 PM. Rams will host the Owls of Westfield State on the same date for a conference clash at 3:00 PM.