Fitchburg State Continues Past Westfield State, 70-66

Graham nets season-high 25 points in Falcons second straight MASCAC victory

WESTFIELD, Mass. (January 26, 2010) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team posted in second straight MASCAC victory defeating Westfield State College, 70-66 in conference action this evening.

Senior Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) led all scorers registering a game-high 25 points  on 8-of-20 shooting from the field and 9-of-13 shooting from the free-throw line. Graham also led the Falcon with a team-best nine rebounds (eight offensive) and three assists.

Freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) and junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) were also solid with ten points apiece, while senior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) added eight points and eight caroms.

There were 12 ties in the closely contested game before Fitchburg State began pulling way midway thru the second half. The Falcons went on a 9-0 run to take a 55-46 lead with 9:32 remaining in the contest as Graham (five points) and Hopkins (four points) sparked the scoring spurt.

Fitchburg State took its biggest lead, 62-50, two minutes later, but Westfield State mounted a comeback, pulling to within three points, 64-61, with 2:28 remaining. Graham, who scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half, canned two free throws with 1:15 remaining to give the Falcons a 66-61 advantage a secure their second conference victory of the season.

Sophomore Nate Pollard (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) led all Westfield State scorers with 16 points  and three boards, while Joe Dicruttalo (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) recorded 15 points (7-of-15), nine rebounds and five assists. Freshman Lee Vasquez (Attleboro, Mass./Woonsocket, R.I.) was also strong with a 13 point, five rebound effort.

Fitchburg State (6-12, 2-4 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it visits Framingham State College at 3 p.m. Westfield State (8-11, 1-5 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 70, Westfield State 66