Fitchburg State Tops Mount Ida, 86-80

Valliere notches double-double with a game best 22 points and 17 rebounds

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 4, 2012) – Senior Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) turned in a double-double effort of 22 points and 17 rebounds as the Fitchburg State men's basketball team held off Mount Ida, 86-80 in non-conference action this evening.

            Valliere led the Falcons offensive efforts, shooting 9-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, while classmate Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) added 14 points with nine boards and two blocks. Junior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) also hit double-figures with 12 points on the evening.

            Freshman John Fortes (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) led the Mustang attack, totaling a team-best 21 points, while senior Jeffrey McNair (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) collected a double-double performance with 13 points and 11 caroms. Freshman Carmon Walker (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) was also solid with 15 points and five assists.

            Fitchburg State held a slim three point advantage after one half of play despite going up by as many as 12 points throughout the first frame. The Falcons held a 28-16 margin at 11:40 mark after stringing together a 17-5 run over a 3:16 span, but the Mustangs closed the gap over the next four minutes to post a one point advantage (34-33) at the 7:34 mark. Both teams traded baskets over the remaining minutes of the first period, but a pair of Kurt Steiner (Rutland, Mass./Whitinsville) free-throws gave the Falcons their three point advantage at the break.

            In the second half, play remained steady with Fitchburg State grabbing a seven point lead at the 14:10 mark, following a Steiner lay-up. Ingram-Rubin increased the Falcon lead to nine with a three pointer at the 7:40 mark, but Mount Ida inched closer again, coming within two points at 4:09. Eight straight free-throws by Ingram- Rubin and Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) over the final 1:10 sealed the win for the Falcons.

            For the game, Fitchburg State shot 41.0% from the floor, including 7-of-23 from three point range. The Falcons held a slim margin in rebounds 48-46, but 82.% free-throw shooting and 16 caused turnovers proved the difference makers.

            Fitchburg State (4-2, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts WPI at 3 p.m. Mount Ida (3-4, 0-1 GNAC) will visit Albertus Magnus on Thursday at 7 p.m.