Fitchburg State Strides Past MCLA, 87-83 (OT)

London nets game-high 23 points in Falcons first MASCAC victory of the season

FITICHBURG, Mass. (January 23, 2010) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team earned its fifth victory of the season as the Falcons posted an 87-83 overtime victory against MCLA this afternoon.  

Freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./) lifted Fitchburg State to its first MASCAC victory of the year as the rookie guard set the tone of the overtime period with a shot from beyond the arc just 19 seconds into extra frames. The Falcons never relinquished the lead, holding off a second MCLA comeback with strong defense and precision shooting. Three Fitchburg State newcomers combined for ten points in the period as Sheldon, junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) and senior Brandon Edelstein (Upper Merion, Penn./Harriton) all found the basket.

The game reached extra time as MCLA posted a seven point comeback over the final 2:30 of the second half capped by senior Mike Perrault's (Whitinsville, Mass./Northbridge) three-pointer with 0:28 seconds remaining in regulation.  The Trailblazers were led by freshman Bilal Shabazz (Schenectady, N.Y./Bishop Gibbons) who tallied 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while junior Jon Greenberg (Antwerp, Belgium/Dennis-Yarmouth) added nine points and three rebounds in the frame.

Fitchburg State collected a comfortable six point lead after the first half of play as the Falcons netted a trio of free-throws following a double foul with time expired. Fitchburg State led by as much as ten throughout the half, using a 10-1 run midway through the frame, but MCLA inched back as Benny Cuprill (Albany, N.Y./Tamarac) hit three consecutive treys to pull the Trailblazers within one (27-26).

London led four Falcons in double-digits, posting a game-high 23 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field. Senior Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) played strong with 18 points and four boards, while Sheldon notched a 17 point, seven rebound effort with 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

Sophomore Chris Harris (Saranac Lake, N.Y./North Country) recorded a double-double to lead MCLA, posting 19 points and ten boards, while Greenberg also chipped with double-figures, totaling 17 points and 11 caroms. Cuprill rounded out the Trailblazers' top three with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field.  

Fitchburg State (5-12, 1-4 MASCAC) will hit the hardwood again on Tuesday as it travels to Westfield State at 7:30 p.m. MCLA will host Bridgewater State College on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 87, MCLA 83 (OT)