Fitchburg State Defeats Eastern Nazarene, 80-74

Ingram-Rubin leads Falcons to season opening victory with 22 points

HENNIKER, N.H. (November 16, 2012) – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team opened its 2012-13 season with a strong non-conference victory, defeating Eastern Nazarene College, 80-74 in opening round action of the New England College Tip-Off.

Junior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) led the Fitchburg State scoring attack with 22 points, shooting 8-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-4 from long range. Seniors Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) and Brandon Selby (Baltimore, Md./Joppatowne) were also solid with 17 point and 11 points respectively, while newcomer Malcolm Dixon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) notched nine points in his Falcons debut.

For the contest, Fitchburg State shot 44.0% from the field, hitting 31-of-71 from the field and 6-of-16 from three-point range. The Falcons also shot 75% from the charity stripe, connecting on 12-of-16 for the evening.

Despite falling behind at the half, 46-37, Fitchburg State overcame its nine-point deficit, posting a 43 point second frame for its first victory of the year. The Falcons opened the second half with a 9-2 run, closing their deficit to only two (48-46), before Henneberry knotted the score for Fitchburg State at 51-51 with a three point play.

Fitchburg State took the lead for good at the 7:42 mark, following an Ingram-Rubin and Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) set of lay-ups. The Green and Gold extended their lead to six (69-63) with a Henneberry jumper at the 3:50 mark, before clutch free-throw shooting sealed the victory down the stretch.

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it complete the championship round of the New England College Tip-Off.