Becker Halts Fitchburg State, 78-70

Fahey leads Falcons with team-best 23 points in first setback of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 1, 2011) – Senior Rajai Leggett (New Haven, Conn./Sheehan) collected a game-high 23 points as the Becker College men's basketball team stopped Fitchburg State University, 78-70 in non-conference action this evening.

Becker collected its second victory of the season, snapping Fitchburg State's five game winning streak with a 49.3% shooting performance. The Hawks shot 51.3% from the field in the first half and notched 35 second half points to overcome a three point deficit at intermission. Leggett exploded in the second, connecting for 15 of his 23 points in the frame, while hitting 7-of-9 from the field.

The Hawks grabbed their first lead of the half at the 12:38 mark as Legget converted a lay-up to give Becker a 61-60 advantage. Fitchburg State responded with a pair of baskets, included a three from sophomore Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) to post a three point margin at 8:59, but Becker continued its strong play in the paint, posting six points off lay ups to regain the lead, 71-68.

Becker then sealed the contest down the stretch, rifling off seven consecutive points with 5-of-8 shooting from the line. Senior Terrance Favors (Boston, Mass./Bedford) and junior Moody Doherty (Roselle, N.J./St. Mary) registered a pair of free-throws each, while Leggett added a jumper.

In the first half, Fitchburg State maintained a 46-43 advantage, as both teams shot the ball well in the frame. Becker hit just over half its shots from the field (19-of-37), while Fitchburg State hit 47.0%, including 7-of-15 from long range. Junior Adam Fahey (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) sparked the Falcons first half efforts with 18 points in the period, hitting 4-of-7 from three point land, while sophomore Brandon Selby (Baltimore, Md./Joppatowne) added seven points and four boards.

The Falcons opened their biggest lead of the half (11) with 2:34 remaining in the period,  but the Hawks marched right back, closing the gap to only three as time expired. Favors ignited Becker's first half shooting efforts with a team-best 15 points in the frame, while Doherty chipped in with 12, including a jumper at the buzzer.

Leggett finished the contest with a double-double for the visitors, totaling 23 points and 17 boards, while Favors and Doherty added 19 points apiece and 15 combined rebounds. Fahey led all Falcon scorers with 23 points, while junior Zach Valiere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) turned in a double-double effort with 13 points and ten caroms.

Fitchburg State (5-1, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it visits Daniel Webster College at 1 p.m. Becker (2-2, 0-0 NECC) will host WPI on Saturday at 3 p.m.