Salem State Holds Off Fitchburg State, 76-69

Hopkins collects 17 points in Falcons MASCAC loss

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 14, 2010) - Junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) collected a team-high 17 points but the Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough, 76-69 loss to Salem State College this Saturday.

Hopkins led the Falcons scorers, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-5 from three point range. Freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) was also strong with 16 points and three rebounds, while seniors Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) finished with 14 and ten points respectively.

Freshman Nate Simpson (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) powered the Salem State offense with a double-double, notching 15 points and 13 rebounds in the contest. Simpson was perfect from the field in the first half (4-for-4) as he collected nine points and seven rebounds in the first 30 minutes. Sophomore Brian Clark (Deerfield, Mass./Frontier) was also solid, finishing with 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting, while Brennan Bennett (Northbridge, Mass./Northbridge) added 11.

Fitchburg State ran off to a fast start, grabbing a 7-0 lead just 1:20 into the contest, but Salem State answered with an 8-0 run of their to take a one point advantage at the 16:20 mark. The Falcons were able to grab a three point margin at the break as Hopkins connected for 12 first half points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor.

In the second half, the offensive tides turned as Salem State controlled the tempo with 41 points in the half. The Vikings quickly regained their lead just 0:30 into the period, using a three by Bennett and steal by Tavone Wynder (Boston, Mass./Newton South), but Salem State was un able to pull away as the Falcons remained within scoring range.

The Viking maintained a slim one basket lead for the final four minutes of play, but in the closing minutes, Salem State secured its victory with a three by Wynder and a layup by Clark. Bennett added to the final push with pair of clutch free-throws, while Simpson added a game-changing block.

Fitchburg State (7-16, 2-8 MASCAC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it travels to MCLA at 7:30 p.m. Salem State (8-14, 7-3 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

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Salem State 76, Fitchburg State 69