Worcester State Shuts Down Fitchburg State, 68-57

Four Lancers hit double-figures in key MASCAC win over Falcons

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 3, 2011) – The Worcester State men's basketball team had four players register double-figures as the Lancers topped Fitchburg State University, 68-57 in MASCAC action this evening.

ELLIOT KNOWER

Worcester State junior Frank Stephenson (Fall River, Mass./Durfee) led all scorers, totaling a game-high 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting while classmate Clinton Timas (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) also played strong with 13 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Monte Goodwin (Boston, Mass./Belmont) cracked double-digits with 11 points and four boards, while senior Ryan Testagrossa (Athol, Mass./Athol) capped the Lancers scoring with ten points and four steals.

Senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) sparked the Fitchburg State offense with a double-double, totaling a team-best 13 points and 14 rebounds, while junior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) added 11 points and five caroms.

In the first half, Fitchburg State jumped out to an early eight point lead as the Falcons opened the contest with an 11-3 run. The sudden burst quickly subsided however as Worcester State rallied back, knotting the score at 22-22 off a Goodwin jumper at 7:33. Both teams continued to battle towards the end of the half, but Worcester State grabbed the late upper hand as Timas tallied four consecutive points to close the frame with a 33-29 advantage.

In the second half, Worcester State maintained its two basket margin for most of the period as both teams traded baskets to start the period, but the Lancers would eventually pull away, using a pair of conventional three point plays from Timas and Mike Gittens (Uncasville, Conn./Montville) for an 11 point lead (58-47). The Lancers secured their third conference victory down the stretch, converting three of its final four free-throws for a 68-57 MASCAC victory.

Worcester State took advantage of 24 Fitchburg State turnovers in the contest, shooting 37.3% for the game and 15-of-24 from the charity stripe. In the second half, the Falcons were limited to just 1-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, while only hitting 9-of-35 from the field.

Fitchburg State (3-15, 0-7 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Bridgewater State University at 3 p.m. Worcester State (5-15, 3-4 MASCAC) will travel to Framingham State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

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Worcester State 68, Fitchburg State 57