Vikings Sail Past Falcons in MASCAC Action

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team dropped a 79-61 decision to the Vikings of Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 61, Salem State 79
Records: Fitchburg State (2-10, 0-1 MASCAC) | Salem State (7-7, 3-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) notched the first six points for the Falcons to knot the game at 6-all just three minutes into the contest. Salem would push the score to 16-8 after a pair from the charity stripe from junior Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.). The Green and Gold forged ahead (23-21) with a jumper from Allen and a layup by sophomore Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.). Tied at 25-25, the Vikings would close out the frame with a 15-4 run, including nine points from sophomore Josiah Green (Springfield, Mass.), to take a 40-29 lead into intermission.

The Falcons opened the second half with a bucket from Javon Taylor but the Vikings answered with a 9-0 run capped by a layup from Castillo to extend the lead to 53-35.  Sophomore Kerns Monvilus (Coral Springs, Fla) reeled off six straight points for the Falcons to cut the deficit to 61-45 midway through the second half. Grad student Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) sealed the victory for Salem State with a three-pointer down the stretch for the 79-61 final

Inside the Numbers

• Allen posted a double-double, in his Falcons debut, pouring in 14 points, 11 rebounds, a steal, and a block. Javon Taylor chipped in 14 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists while junior Darien Norwood (San Diego, Calif.) added 10 points off the bench.
• All five starters for the Vikings had double digits in points. Bryan led all scorers with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Connor Byrne (Melrose, Mass) had a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards.
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-66 (37.9%) from the field and (2-of-9) 22.2% from three-point range
• Salem State finished 39-of-63 (46%) overall and (5-for16) 31.3% for beyond the arc
• Vikings held a 42-39 margin on the glass

 Up Next

Falcons will travel to Worcester State on Wednesday night for a MASCAC conference tilt, starting at 7:30 PM.