Falcons Ground Pilgrims in 2021 Season Opener

For Immediate Release

Fitchburg State University

Sports Information Director

Bettiann Peura

bpeura@fitchburgstate.edu

November 5, 2021

 Dartmouth, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team notched their first victory of the season with a 95-89 full-team effort win over the Pilgrims of New England College in opening day action at the 2021 Lafrance Hospitality Men's Basketball Tournament hosted by UMass Dartmouth.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 95, New England College 89
Records: Fitchburg State (1-0) | New England College (0-1)

How It Happened

New England College took an 11-4 lead early in the contest as four different players sparked the Pilgrims. Fitchburg State responded with a 9-0 run capped by a deep ball from sophomore Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) to forge ahead 24-22 midway through the first half.  Junior Darian Norwood (San Diego, Calif.) came off the bench to contribute four straight points for the Green and Gold to push the lead to 32-24. New England College kept it close with a pair of layups from junior Michael Tavilla (Winchester, Mass.) and Kareem Octavien (Cambridge, Mass.) to narrow the gap to 38-34 with 2:45 to play. The Falcons carried a 43-41 advantage into intermission as sophomore Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) hit a bucket as time expired.

Following intermission, Fitchburg State extended the lead to nine points (55-46) with a trey from sophomore Kerns Monvilus (Coral Springs, Fla.) and a lay in from Quincy Taylor to start the second frame. Next the Green and Gold would reel off a 13-4 streak over an eight minute span to take the largest lead of the game (68-50). Junior Jalen Morgan (Lawrenceville, Ga.) contributed six points in the run. Trailing 75-59 the Pilgrims countered with seven straight points capped by a three pointer from Calvin Cheek (Mattapan, Mass.) to cut the deficit to 75-66.  Ahead 88-81 after a team timeout the Falcons controlled play down the stretch cashing in with eight points from the charity stripe to seal the victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State was led by Morgan with a team-leading 23 points, five boards and two assists, while Quincy Taylor added a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.  Javon Taylor's stat line read 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, a block and 14 points.
• Fitchburg State went 34-for-70 (48.6%) overall and (8-for-18) 44.4% from three point range.
• NEC shot 33-for-87 (37.9%) from the field and (8-of-28) 28.6% from beyond the arc.
• The Falcons held a 48-34 edge on the glass.
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 UP NEXT

The Falcons have advanced to the championship of the 2021 Lafrance Hospitality Men's Basketball Tournament. They will face the hosts UMass Dartmouth tomorrow, tip-off is slated for 2:00 PM