Anna Maria Rallies Past Fitchburg State, 75-70

Valliere collects fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and ten boards

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 4, 2011) – Anna Maria junior Brad Peterson (N. Kingstown, R.I./N. Kingstown) collected a game-best 20 points as the AmCats erased a 13 point deficit to post a 75-70 non-conference victory over Fitchburg State University this evening.

ZACH VALLIERE

Peterson fell only two rebounds shy of a double-double, posting eight boards and four blocks, while hitting 9-of-11 from the floor. Senior Junior De La Hoz (Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic) also added a spark offensively for the AmCats with 19 points (4-of-7 3PT), while sophomore Anthony Click (Springfield, Mass./Sabis) and senior Derek Johnson (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) finished in double-figures with 15 points and 12 points respectively.

Junior Stephen Verdi (Revere, Mass./Malden) led the Fitchburg State offensive attack with a team-best 14 points, hitting 3-of-5 from long range to go with four rebounds and one assist. Sophomore Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) added his fourth double-double of the season with a 13 point, ten rebound night, while senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) capped the Falcons scoring with 11 points and six boards.

Trailing by 11 at the break, Anna Maria quickly erased its deficit, posting an 18-7 run to open the second frame. Click ignited the AmCats surge with five points and two rebounds in the rally, while Johnson opened the period with back-to-back jumpers.

Fitchburg State regained its offensive momentum, posting a five point margin (54-49) at the 12:01 mark with a three by Verdi, but Anna Maria came marching back to grab a one point advantage following a three by De La Hoz at 10:44.

Over the next six minutes of play, Fitchburg State maintained its two possession lead, but Peterson answered for the AmCats, posting eight consecutive points following a block and a steal for a three-point, AmCat advantage. Petersen then iced the game down the stretch, hitting a pair of free-throws in the closing seconds to earn the victory.

Anna Maria used a 53.3% shooting effort in the second half to earn its fifth triumph of the season, while Fitchburg State was limited to only 10-of-33 shooting in the second stanza. The Falcons finished 7-of-18 from beyond the arc however and held a 44-42 margin on the glass.

Fitchburg State (3-8, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Framingham State University at 3 p.m. Anna Maria (5-6, 0-0 TCCC) will travel to Wheelock College on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

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Anna Maria 75, Fitchburg State 70