Bridgewater State Claws Past Fitchburg State, 75-47

Graham posts game-high 18 points in Falcons MASCAC setback

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (February 6, 2010) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough MASCAC setback this afternoon, falling to Bridgewater State College, 75-47 at Adrian Tinsley Center.

Seniors Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) paced the Falcons offense, combining for 28 of Fitchburg State's 47 points. Graham led all Falcon scorers with a team-best 18 points and eight rebounds, while London chipped in with ten points and two caroms.

Bridgewater State received solid efforts from junior Nicolas Motta (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) and classmate Corey Connor (Providence, R.I./Cushing Academy) as the Bears collected their MASCAC leading, ninth victory of the year. Motta registered a team-high 18 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor, while Connor added 15, hitting 3-of-6 from long range.

Bridgewater State built its margin early, grabbing a 39-22 lead at the break. The Bears opened up the close-knit, two-point contest (18-16) midway through the frame, posting a 21-6 run over the final 8:44 of the half.  Motta sparked the Bears with 12 of his 18 points in the first half, while Connor connected for 11.

In the second half, Bridgewater State continued to pad its lead, going up by as much as 29 throughout the frame. Fitchburg State struggled offensively as Bridgewater out-shot the Falcons 60.0% to 24.2% in the second half. Graham played strong down-low for the Falcons, totaling 12 points in the period, but the Bears bench continued to put up numbers (18) as they rolled to their 15 victory of the season.

Fitchburg State (7-14, 2-6 MASCAC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it travels to Worcester State at 8 p.m. Bridgewater State (15-5, 9-0 MASCAC) will visit Bowdoin College on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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Bridgewater State 75, Fitchburg State 47