Falcons Outlast Trailblazers In MASCAC Tilt

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Trailblazers of MCLA, 60-59 this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Amsler Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 60, MCLA 59
Records: Fitchburg State (4-11, 2-2 MASCAC), MCLA (6-9, 1-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

MCLA took an early 10-3 margin to open the contest as junior Dylan Morris-Gray (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) drained a three- ball before Fitchburg State answered with Darian Norwood (San Diego, Calif.) three pointer to cut the lead to 10-6.

The Falcons grabbed the lead (12-10) with sophomore Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) hitting a layup and newcomer Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) knocking down a three pointer. The Trailblazers retied the contest at 12-12 when junior Reece Racette (North Adams, Mass.) hit a bucket.

The Green and Gold regained the lead, going on a 10-0 run as junior Mikal Garcia (Fresno, Tex.) led the way with five points for the 22-12 edge. The hosts trimmed the deficit to 30-23 going into the break when Morris-Gray connected on a three-ball.

Following the intermission, MCLA used a 7-0 run to knot the score at 30-30 as Morris-Gray notched a layup before Fitchburg State regained the lead (36-32) with senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and junior Tayjahn Joyner (Hadley, Mass.) registering buckets.

The Falcons pushed its lead to 50-40 on a Siayor three pointer, but the Trailblazers countered with a Noah Yeardsley (Averill Park, N.Y.) layup. Trailing 52-42, the hosts scored the next six points, capped by a Hayden Bird (North Adams, Mass.) layup, but the Green and Gold answered when Norwood and Joyner netted buckets for the 56-50 margin.

MCLA reduced the deficit to 58-57 as freshman JoJo Garcia (Henderson, Nev.) buried a three pointer before Garcia sank a pair of clutch free-throws for Fitchburg State, resulting in the 60-59 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Siayor with a game-leading 15 points, three boards, one assist and three steals
• Allen added a double-double of 13 points and 18 caroms to go along with two assists and four blocks
• For the Trailblazers, Morris-Gray posted a team-best 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal
• Bird chipped in with 12 points, four boards, two assists and one steal
• 108th meeting between two schools with Falcons 49-59 all-time vs the Trailblazers
• Fitchburg State shot 21-for-58 36.2%) from the field and (5-for-15) 33.3% from three point land
• MCLA finished 21-of-65 (32.3%) overall and (8-for-32) 25.0% from beyond the arc
• Fitchburg State held a slim 46-42 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Owls of Westfield State University in MASCAC action, starting at 7:00 PM.