Falcons Upended By Cougars, 97-70

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a 97-70 decision to the Cougars of Clark University in non-conference action this evening from the Kneller Center.

 The Basics91Score: Fitchburg State 70, Clark 97

Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-0 MASCAC) I Clark (2-0, 0-0 NEWMAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Fitchburg State took an 8-4 edge in the opening half on layups from sophomores Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) and Kerns Monvilus (Coral Springs, Fla.) before Clark went on a 7-0 run, capped by a Matthew Waggett (Saugus, Mass.) bucket to take a 13-8 margin.

The Cougars extended their lead (29-13) following a three pointer from sophomore Bruce Saintilus (Plainville, Mass.) but the Falcons chipped away at the deficit with a Dominik Williams (Newark, N.J.) layup. The two team would trade buckets to end the half as Taylor connected for the Green and Gold, while Saintilus hit the basket for Clark to make the score 47-37 going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Clark upped its advantage 51-37 on a jumper by graduate Biko Gayman (Fort Pierce, Fla.), but Fitchburg State answered back (51-41) when junior Jalen Morgan (Lawrenceville, Ga.) connected on an and one.

The Cougars would take its largest lead on the night (80-58) as Saintilus notched a layup. The Falcons responded with a layup from newcomer Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass.) off a feed by sophomore Trevian Hinson (Tampa, Fla.) to cut the lead to 80-60.

Fitchburg State continue to battle with Semedo knocking down a three ball to make the score 84-65, but Clark secured the victory on a layup by freshman Isaiah Taylor (Lawrence, Mass.), resulting in the 97-70 final

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Semedo with a team-best 15 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
• Sophomore Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) added 13 points, six caroms, three assists and one block
• For the Cougars, Gayman finished with a game-leading 20 points, four boards, one assist and two steals.
• Saintilus chipped in with 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block
• 17th meeting between Fitchburg State and Clark on the court with the Falcons 6-11 all-time vs. the Cougars

Fitchburg State shot 25-for-60 (41.7%) from the field and (4-of-15) 26.7% from three point range

• Clark finished 35-of-83 (42.2%) overall and (6-for-29) 207% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 45-42 margin in rebounds

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Keene State to take on the Owls for a non-conference matchup, starting at 2:00 PM. Cougars will host the Bobcats of Bates College on the same date for a non-conference tilt at 2:00 PM.