Falcons Hold Off Rams In MASCAC Bout

Framingham, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Rams of Framingham State, 62-59 this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Athletics Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 62, Framingham State 59
Records: Fitchburg State (5-14, 3-5 MASCAC), Framingham State (3-17, 1-7 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State took a 4-0 lead to start the contest on buckets from juniors Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and Trevian Hinson (Tampa, Fla.) before Framingham State countered with a three-pointer by sophomore Jahden Erold (Boston, Mass.) (4-3).

The Falcons extended their advantage (9-5) with junior Tajahn Joyner (Hadley, Mass.) draining a three ball and classmate Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) adding a layup. The Rams answered back with a layup by newcomer Brett Okundaye (Boston, Mass.), but the Green and Gold proceeded to go on an 11-0 stretch, capped by a Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) bucket for the 22-8 lead.

The hosts responded with a 6-0 run as newcomer Joshua Daniel Okafor (Boston, Mass.) polished off the streak with a free-throw to cut the deficit to 22-14, but Fitchburg State pushed the lead to 24-14 when Allen netted a jumper. Framingham State chipped away at the lead, going on a 9-2 streak with Okafor notching a layup to make the score 28-25 going into the half.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State upped its lead (31-25) when Hinson connected on a layup. Framingham State answered back with a pair from the charity stripe by freshman Ivan Nyantenji (Nashua, N.H.) before Hinson connected a three pointer for the 34-28 edge.

The Rams trimmed the deficit to 38-36 with Erold knocking down a three ball, but the Falcons pushed the lead back to five when sophomore Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass) converted a layup and free-throw to make the score 41-36.

Framingham State continued to battle, knotting the score at 43-43 after Okafor converted a pair of free-throws before Fitchburg State regained the lead with an Allen layup. The Green and Gold went up by six (49-43) as Semedo hit two from the charity stripe, while Hinson notched a jumper.

The back and forth affair continued with the Rams drawing with one (53-52) when Okafor hit a bucket, but Hinson notched a pair of clutch buckets for the Falcons as the Green and Gold held on for the 62-59 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Semedo with a game-leading 18 points, five boards and two assists
• Hinson added 17 points, six caroms, one assist and one steal
• For the Rams, Okafor finished with a double-double of 14 points and ten rebounds
• Nyantenji chipped in with 12 points, three boards, three assists and one steal
• 93rd meeting between two schools with Falcons 40-53 all-time vs the Rams
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-53 (45.3%) from the field and (3-for-15) 20.0% from three point land
• Framingham State finished 16-of-48 (33.3%) overall and (4-for-13) 30.8% from beyond the arc
• Falcons held a slim 38-34 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they visit Salem State to take on the Vikings in a MASCAC clash, starting at 7:00 PM.