Worcester State Squeaks Past Fitchburg State, 71-68

Selby leads Falcons with a team-best 18 points in MASCAC setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 15, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough conference setback this evening, falling to Worcester State University, 71-68 in MASCAC action at the Recreation Center.

Senior Brandon Selby (Baltimore, Md./Joppatowne) led the Fitchburg State offensive efforts, totaling a team-best 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor. Classmate Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) was also strong with a near double-double of 12 points and nine boards, while Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) and Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) chipped in with 11 points each.

Worcester State received a solid effort from freshman Alex Lopez (Springfield, Mass./Commerce), who collected a game-high 20 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 0:08 remaining on the clock. Junior Robert Hunter (St. Louis, MO/Normandy) finished with 18 points for the Lancers, while freshman Austin Keeler (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) added 16 points.

In the first half, Worcester State came out storming, posting a 7-0 run to open the game but Fitchburg State rallied back, using an 8-2 surge to come within one (9-8). The Lancers extended their advantage to 11 midway through the half (21-10), but the Falcons closed the half strong, using an 18-2 rally en route to 35-32 advantage at the break. Ingram-Rubin and Henenberry sparked the rally with back-to-back three's, before capping the run with another set of long-range buckets at the 2:32 mark.

The Falcons continued to streak in the second half, posting a 49-36 lead just four minutes into the period. Selby, Kimber and senior Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) led the charge with four points apiece, while Henneberry added a jumper. The Lancers closed within two at the 8:03 following a three from Keeler, but the Fitchburg State regained a two basket advantage with a matching trey from Kimber.

Down the stretch, Worcester State began to inch closer, knotting the score at 65-65 with 2:26 remaining. The Lancers grabbed a one point advantage after a three point play from Hunter r(68-67), but an Ingram-Rubin free-throw tied the score again, setting the stages for Lopez' runner in the paint. With 0:17 remaining in regulation Lopez connected with a lay-up from the left-side to give the Lancers the lead and eventual victory.

For the game, Worcester State held a 48-40 margin on the glass and shot 36.8% from the field, while Fitchburg State finished 27-of-70 (38.6%), including 7-of-26 from long-range.

Fitchburg State (8-5, 1-2 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it visits Salem State at 7:30 p.m. Worcester State (7-8, 2-2 MASCAC) will visit Bridgewater State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.