Salem State Edges Fitchburg State, 63-59

Knower posts second double-double of season with 18 points and 12 boards

SALEM, Mass. (January 22, 2009) - Sophomore Elliot Knower (Templeton, Mass./Narragansett) collected a double-double as Fitchburg State suffered a tough 63-59 MASCAC setback to conference-leading Salem State College this evening.

Knower posted his second double-double of the season to lead Fitchburg State, netting a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Brian Skiffington (North Adams, Mass./Hoosac Valley) aided the Falcon attack with nine points, three boards and three assists, while junior Jonathan Evans (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) chipped in with ten points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field.

Senior Dylan Holmes (Groton, Mass./Worcester Academy) led the Salem State offensive front with a game-high 14 points and ten boards as the Vikings picked up their fourth conference victory. Junior Tom Henderson (Westborough, Mass./Westborough) added 11 points and eight caroms for the Vikings, while classmate Brennan Bennett (Northbridge, Mass./Northbridge) rounded out the Salem State top scorers with 11 points and two assists.

Salem State grabbed an 11 point lead with 6:19 remaining in the first half, but Fitchburg State responded with 14 points over the last six minutes of the period to cut the Viking lead to six at the break (38-32). Evans led the Falcons with ten points in the half, while Holmes collected eight for the Vikings.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came out soaring, knotting the score at 45-45 as Knower capped a 13-7 run with a free throw at the 12:12 mark. Moments later, the Falcons inherited their first lead of the match as junior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) deposited a jumper with 5:11 remaining in regulation.

With the game tied at 59-59 and 2:15 remaining on the clock, Salem State registered four unanswered points to close out the game and preserve its 14^th victory of the season. Holmes slammed home a dunk with 0:41 remaining to put the Vikings up two, while sophomore Nick Linear (Salem, Mass./Salem) netted two free-throws in the final seconds to seal the match.

Fitchburg State (5-9, 0-4 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it travels to MCLA at 4 p.m. Salem State (14-2, 4-0 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Salem State 63, Fitchburg State 59