Bears Slip Past Fitchburg State in Overtime, 58-56

Falcons comeback bid from down 15 points falls short in MASCAC thriller

FITCHBURG, Mass. – In another dramatic contest at the Recreation Center, Fitchburg State dropped a tough 58-56 decision to the Bears of Bridgewater State in overtime in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's basketball action Tueday evening.

The opening half started as a back and forth affair, with neither team leading by more than one possession for most of the stanza. The Falcons took their largest lead of the first half with 11:48 left in the period, when Givaughn Jones sunk a jumper to give them a 17-14 advantage.

The Bears responded with a 10-0 run, ignited by newcomer Rocky DeAndrade five points to give the visitors a 24-17 lead. Behind 52% shooting from the field, Bridgewater State would take a 34-21 lead into halftime.

The visitors opened the second half with a Michael Lofton layup, giving the Bears their largest lead of the night at 15 points. After a Justin Clark layup to make it 42-28, the Falcons broke through with an 11-2 run, highlighted by threes from Jones and junior Anthony Muccioli to cut the deficit to 44-41.

The visitors would bring their lead back up to nine with a layup from Lofton with 8:24 left. However Green and Gold responded with a valiant comeback, tying the game with 2:22 remaining on a Kwame Lee layup. Lofton and Lee would trade baskets to bring the score to 54-54 to force overtime.

The extra frame was a defensive showcase, as free throws by senior Barrett Murphy and Muccioli stood as the only points for most of the extra period. After a missed three, the Bears were able to break down court, with Kyle Gibson sinking a layup with less than four seconds remaining. The Falcons were unable to get off a final shot, giving Bridgewater State the 58-56 overtime victory.

Muccioli led the Falcons offensively with a game high 16 points, with Jones tallying 11 and sophomore Troy DaCosta finishing with a career high 10 points in his first collegiate start. For the Bears, Lofton finished with 15 points, while Gibson and DeAndrade added 10 points each for Bridgewater State.

Fitchburg State (11-5, 3-1 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it takes on Worcester State at Assumption College at 3 p.m. Bridgewater State (11-6, 4-1 MASCAC) will also be in action on Saturday, as it travels to Salem State to take on the Vikings at 3 p.m.  

Courtesy of Fitchburg State senior Daniel Beaulac

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