Fitchburg State Falls Short At Worcester State, 79-78 (OT)

Hopkins nets a team-best 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 9, 2010) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered its second, one-point loss to the hands of Worcester State as the Lancers nipped the Falcons, 79-78 in overtime MASCAC action this evening. 

Trailing 67-73 with only 0:14 remaining in regulation, Fitchburg State rallied back from a late four point deficit as junior Rolffi Canela (Perth Amyboy, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) drained a shot from beyond the arc with 0:01 remaining to force an overtime period. Worcester State senior Maurice Horton (Detroit, Mich./Burncoat) gave the Lancers a three point edge with only 0:07 remaining, but Canela lifted the Falcons to the extra frame with a long range shot off senior Colin London's (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) feed.

In the extra frame, Fitchburg State jumped out to an early five point advantage as junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) sparked a 6-1 scoring surge with a shot from long range and lay-up in the paint. The Falcons maintained a four-point advantage with 1:10 remaining in overtime, but a good three by Worcester's Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) brought the Lancers within one.

Sophomore Raynaldi Voyard (Leominster, Mass./South Lancaster) followed suit, giving the Lancers the lead moments later on back-to-back free-throws but Fitchburg State marched down the court and created several scoring opportunities in the closing seconds. Hopkins muscled a pair of three-point attempts, but as the attempts both sailed long Worcester State clinched its fourth MASCAC victory of the year.

Hopkins led four Falcons in double-figures, posting a team-best 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the floor. The junior guard added five boards and three assists to the mix, while hitting six shots from beyond the arc. London was also solid for the Falcons with 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals, while senior Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) added 13 and 11 respectively.

Worcester State junior Ryan Testagrossa (Athol, Mass./Athol) led all scorers with 21 points, while Horton collected  a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. Douillette and sophomore Jamaal Atkins (Webster, Mass./Bartlett) also chipped in with nine points each.

Fitchburg State (7-15, 2-7 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Salem State College at 3 p.m. Worcester State (11-12, 4-6 MASCAC) will visit Bridgewater State on Saturday at 6 p.m.

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Worcester State 79, Fitchburg State 78 (OT)