Fitchburg State Fall Shorts Vs. Westfield State, 82-55

Valliere leads Falcons with a team-best double-double of 13 points, ten rebounds

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 22, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team was in action this evening, falling to MASCAC foe Westfield State University, 82-55 at the Recreation Center.

Senior Lee Vasquez (Attleboro, Mass./Woonsocket) poured in a season-best 38 points to lead the Westfield State offense, while also adding seven boards and a pair of steals. Sophomore Grant Cooper (Northampton, Mass./Northampton) was also solid with a near triple-double of 11 points, ten rebounds and eight assists, while senior Ryan White (Philadelphia, Pa./Franklin Learning Center) chipped in with eight points.

Senior Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) led the Falcons offensively, totaling  a team-high 13 points and ten caroms, while classmate Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) collected nine points and three boards.

Westfield State opened the first with an early advantage, rifling off a 14-0 run behind five points from Vazquez and four points from Matt Devine (Pembroke, Mass./Pembroke). Fitchburg State got on the board with points from Valliere and Brandon Selby (Baltimore, Md./Joppatowne), but the Owls maintained their double-digit advantage as Vasquez dropped 17 first half points. The Falcons inched within seven (27-20) following a bucket from Valliere and three from Henneberry, but Westfield State closed the half strong, taking a 15 point margin into the locker-room.

In the second half, it was all Westfield State as the Owls continued their hot shooting, hitting 14-of-28 from the field and 4-of-8 from three point range. Vasquez again paced the Owls 42 point period, connecting on 6-of-10 attempts, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc for 21 points in the half.

For the game, Westfield State finished with 52.5% shooting from the field (31-of-59) and a 45-30 advantage on the glass. The Owls limited the Falcons to just four baskets from long-range and only nine field goals in the first half, while causing 15 Fitchburg State turnovers and scoring 17 points in transition.

Fitchburg State (8-8, 1-5 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it visits Bridgewater State 3 p.m. Westfield State (14-4, 4-2 MASCAC) will host Salem State on Saturday at 3 p.m.