Men's Basketball Falls to Lancers

Worcester, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team suffered a tough 72-64 setback to the Lancers of Worcester State this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Brissette Court.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 64, Worcester State 72

Fitchburg State (3-18, 1-7 MASCAC) I Worcester State (12-8, 6-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Worcester State raced out to an early 6-0 advantage on buckets from senior Sam Dion (Barre, MA), graduate student Zion Henrix (Charlotte, NC) and junior Brandon Goris (Bronx, NY) before Fitchburg State answered as senior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, MA) registered a layup (6-2). The Lancers pushed the lead to 19-4 wen Goris hit a jumper, but the Falcons countered with a basket by freshman Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) to make the score 19-6.

The hosts pushed the margin to 29-7 as junior Suubi Nkugwa (Chelmsford, MA) connected on a three-pointer, but the Green and Gold trimmed the lead to 29-12 on a pair of three balls from junior Frederick Siayor (Worcester, MA) and a layup by newcomer Jackson Owens (Buford, GA). Worcester State extended the advantage to 34-23 on a dunk from junior Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) before Fitchburg State cut the lead to 34-29 going into the break on a pair of buckets from freshman Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) and a basket by Siayor to close out the half.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State went on a 6-0 run to take a 35-34 edge on buckets from Siayor, Taylor and Franks before Worcester State regained the lead (39-35) as Goris buried a three-pointer and Nkrumah netted a layup. The Lancers upped the advantage to 47-39 on a layup by junior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA), but the Falcons cut the lead to 47-43 when Siayor and newcomer Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) registered jumpers.

The Lancers upped the lead to 58-48 on a Nkugwa three-pointer, but the Green and Gold answered back as Siayor and Franks connected on baskets (58-52). Fitchburg State trimmed the lead 70-64 on a Taylor layup, but Worcester State would secure the victory as senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) sank two from the charity stripe, resulting in the 72-64 final.

Inside the Numbers                                                                                                 

• Falcons were led by Siayor with a game-leading 25 points, seven rebounds and two steals
• Franks added a double-double of 12 points and 12 caroms as well as one steal
• For the Lancers, Rubenskas finished with a team-best 16 points, nine boards, one assist and two blocks
• Goris chipped in 12 points, one rebound and two steals
• 128th meeting between Fitchburg State and Worcester State on the hardwood with the Falcons 43-75 all-time when taking on the Lancers
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-71 (35.2%) from the field and 4-of-19) 21.1% from three-point range
• Worcester State finished 26-of-67 (38.8%) overall and (7-for-24) 29.2% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 53-44 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday, February 7th as they host the Owls of Westfield State for a MASCAC clash, starting at 7:00PM.

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