Framingham State Slides Past Fitchburg State, 68-54

Valliere paces Falcons a team-best 14 points in tough MASCAC setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 8, 2011) – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered its first conference loss of the season, falling to Framingham State University, 68-54 in MASCAC action this afternoon.

ZACH VALLIERE

Senior Royce Veal (Dorchester, Mass./Minuteman Regional) led Framingham State to its first MASCAC win of the season, netting  a game-high 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line. Freshman Yemi Ajao (Randolph, Mass./Randolph) aided Veal on the offensive attack with 11 points (4-of-5 shooting), while senior Brendan Carter (South Boston, Mass./BC High) totaled seven points and a game-best 11 rebounds.

Sophomore Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) led the Fitchburg State offense this afternoon, totaling a team-high 14 points and five rebounds, while senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) finished with 13 points, hitting 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Senior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) added 12 points off the bench for the Falcons to round out the Falcons in double-figures.

Despite trailing 30-28 at the break, Framingham State exploded for 40 points throughout the second half, shooting over 51% from the field to earn its fourth victory of the season. The Rams broke open the back and forth affair late in the period, posting a 7-0 run at the 2:59 for an eight point advantage. Marcus McLaurin (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) sparked the Rams with five consecutive points, including a bucket from beyond the arc, while Veal added a lay-up and a pair of rebounds.

Down the stretch, the Rams continued to pad their lead as Anthony Papagallo drained a shot from long range and followed it up with lay-up just 15 seconds later. The Rams then iced the contest at the 2:05 mark as Veal converted a trio of free-throws for a commanding 67-53 advantage.

Fitchburg State was hampered in the second half by its 25% shooting, hitting only 7 of its 28 attempts from the field, including a 1-of-9 effort from three point range. Framingham State held a slim 40-37 margin on the glass, while forcing 14 Falcon turnovers.

Fitchburg State (3-9, 0-1 MASCAC) will be back in action next Saturday as it travels to Bridgewater State at 4 p.m. Framingham State (4-7, 1-0 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

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Framingham State 68, Fitchburg State 54