Men's Basketball Downed By Lancers In MASCAC Action

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team suffered a 75-53 setback to the Lancers of Worcester State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 53, Worcester State 75

Fitchburg State (2-12, 0-2 MASCAC) I Worcester State (7-6, 1-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Worcester State took a 5-4 edge to open the contest on a three-point play from junior Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) before Fitchburg State went on a 7-1 run to take an 11-6 advantage after a layup by newcomer Kamau Franks (Converse, TX). The Lancers answered with a Nkrumah jumper to cut the lead to 13-8, but the Falcons pushed the lead to 15-8 as freshman Donald Brown Jr (Baltimore, MD) sank two from the charity stripe.

The visitors continued to battle, going on an 18-3 run, capped by a layup from junior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA) to grab a 23-18 edge, but the Green and Gold responded with a three-ball and two free throws by newcomer Tyrone Countrymon (Boston, MA) to cut the lead to 25-23. Worcester State upped the lead to 28-24 as graduate student Sam Davis (Worcester, MA) drained a three ball, but the Falcons capped the first half scoring on a Brown Jr layup to make the score 28-26 going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Worcester State pushed the lead to 47-28, going on a 19-2 run, capped by a Nkrumah free throw before Fitchburg State answered with a three pointer by freshman Braeden White (Spencer, MA) to cut the lead to 48-33. The Lancers upped the lead to 52-35 as freshman Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner, MA) connected on a pair from the charity stripe.

The Green and Gold responded as White netted back-to-back buckets to make the score 61-43, but the visitors extended the margin to 66-43 on a layup by Annan. Fitchburg State countered with a pair of baskets from Countrymon (70-46), but the Lancers secured the victory as senior Daniel Liberatore (Hopedale, MA) buried a three-ball, resulting in the 75-53 final.

Inside the Numbers                                                                                                 

• Falcons were led by Countrymon with a team-best 14 points, five caroms and one steal
• Brown Jr added ten points, eight boards and two steals
• For the Lancers, Nkrumah finished with a game best 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three steals
• Kirkland chipped in with 14 points, three assists and three steals
• 117th meeting between Fitchburg State and Worcester State on the hardwood with the Falcons 43-74 all-time when taking on the Lancers
• Fitchburg State shot 18-for-68 (26.5%) from the field and (4-of-23) 17.4% from three-point range
• Worcester State finished 28-of-59 (47.5%) overall and (9-for-25) 36.0% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 46-39 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday when they host the Pride of Regis College in non-conference action, starting at 7:00PM.

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