Salem State Holds Off Fitchburg State, 88-75

Sheldon and Hopkins pace Falcons with a combined 31 points

SALEM, Mass. (January 21, 2010) - Freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) and junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) combined for 31 points but Fitchburg State fell to Salem State College, 88-75 in MASCAC action this evening.

BLAKE SHELDON

Sheldon led four Falcons in double figures, shooting 6-of-13 shooting from the field for 16 points and five rebounds. Hopkins was just as solid, collecting 15 points with a trio of three's and six free-throws, while seniors Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) added 15 and 13 points respectively.

Salem State sophomore Brian Clark (Deerfield, Mass./Frontier) led all scorers with a game-high 20 points, connecting on 10-of-13 shots from the field to go with seven rebounds and two assists. Senior Brennan Bennett (Northbridge, Mass./Northbridge) also registered double-figures for the Vikings with 13 points, while sophomore Tristian Shannon (Andover, Mass./Andover) chipped in with 12 points and nine caroms.

After one period of play, Salem State grabbed an 11 point lead, using a 12-2 run midway through the frame to break open the two point contest. Clark paced the Vikings first half offense with 12 points and four offensive rebounds, while Shannon connected for eight. Graham sparked the Falcons with ten, first-half points, while Hopkins drained a three in the closing seconds to cut the Fitchburg State deficit.

In the second half, Salem State opened its lead early, going up by as much as 15 points at the 12:47 mark, but the Falcons rallied late, cutting the Viking lead to five (80-75) with 0:54 remaining. The Falcons used an 8-0 run over a two minute span as Hopkins converted four free-throw attempts, but the Vikings ended the Fitchburg State comeback promptly with six Bennett free-throws to close out the contest.

Fitchburg State (4-12, 0-4 MASCAC) will hit the hardwood again on Saturday as it hosts MCLA at 3 p.m. Salem State (4-12, 3-1 MASCAC) will play host to Bridgewater State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Salem State 88, Fitchburg State 75