Fitchburg State Stuns Nichols, 80-73

Hopkins nets a season-high 29 points as Falcons collect non-conference victory

DUDLEY, Mass. (January 13, 2010) -The Fitchburg State men's basketball team exploded for 56 second half points to overcome a ten point first half deficit and post a 79-73 non-conference victory over Nichols College this evening.

Junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) led the Fitchburg State second half comeback, shooting 62% from the field  (8-of-13), including 6-of-7 from three point range. Hopkins led four Falcons in double-figures, registering a season-high 29 points with a perfect 7-of-7 shooting performance from the free-throw line.

The Bison edged ahead by as many as 12 early in the second half, but Hopkins found his groove, hitting nine points amidst an 18-6 run that saw the game all tied up at 47-47 with 12:55 left. The teams traded leads until Hopkins capped a 9-3 Fitchburg State run with a pair of free throws to hold a 66-57 advantage with 6:21 to play.

Nichols chipped away at the visitors' lead and brought it within one on a Chris Paquin three-pointer with 5:16 left. The Bison kept the game close, but a trey from Hopkins with 34 seconds left put Fitchburg up by four, 77-73, and the Falcons hit three of four free throws in the waning seconds to close out the game.  

Senior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) added 14 points and four boards for the Falcons, while freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) added 13 with 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. Senior Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) was also dominant for the Falcons, posting ten points and a team-best seven boards.

Senior Ryan Wilcox (West Granby, Conn./Granby) led the Bison with a team-high 19 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field, with six boards and three assists. Sophomore Pete Atkins (Gainesville, Fla./Cushing Academy) was also solid with 14 points, while senior Bryan Riley (West Boylston, Mass./Wachusett Regional) shot 10-of-11 from the free-throw stripe, totaling 14 points and eight caroms.        

Fitchburg State (4-9, 0-1 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Bridgewater State at 3 p.m. Nichols (7-6, 0-2 TCCC) will host New England College on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 80, Nichols 73