Falcons Fall to Tufts in Non-Conference Play

MEDFORD, Mass. - Junior Stephen Haladyna led five Jumbo players who scored in double figures as Fitchburg State University men's basketballl were defeated by Tufts University, 82-69, in non-conference action on Tuesday night at Cousens Gym.

Fitchburg, which saw a three-game winning streak end, dropped to 14-8. The Falcons were led by 14 points from junior Anthony Muccioli and 12 by junior Givaughn Jones. That pair combined for 11 rebounds, six by Jones.

Sophomore Tom Palleschi added 17, junior Ryan Spadaford scored 14, senior Ben Ferris chipped in 11 and sophomore Tarik Smith had 10 as the Jumbos improved to 12-10 overall. Haladyna scored 12 of his points at the free throw line.

The Jumbos charged out to an 18-4 lead and would never trail. Freshman Thomas Lapham opened with a three-pointer as the Jumbos connected on three trifectas during their early spurt. Palleschi had six points to lead the run.

Fitchburg came back, pulling to within five points (22-17) on Muccioli's lay-up at 8:47 of the half. That capped a 13-4 stretch which included five points by Muccioli and four each by junior Keyon Armstrong and sophomore Troy DaCosta.

Tufts answered by scoring the next 10 points, six by Ferris, to hold a 32-17 advantage with seven minutes to go until halftime. Twice they would push the margin to 18 before halftime, including 40-22 on a pair of Haladyna free throws at 3:20.

The hosts led 44-30 at the break. Palleschi's 10 points paced Tufts while Muccioli had seven for the Falcons. Both teams were aggressive on the offensive glass, combining for 21 offensive rebounds and 25 second-chance points (16 by Tufts) in the half.

Tufts led by at least 12 for the first six of the second half. A jumper by Palleschi at 13:43 of the increased Tufts' lead to 59-40, but the Falcons didn't bow quietly.

Though Tufts would hold a double-digit lead for the majority of the half, Fitchburg got within nine points three times including 65-56 on a lay-up by Jones at 3:52 of the second half. A three by Armstrong at 3:14 made it 70-61, but Tufts was able to keep the Falcons at an arm's length.

Tufts finished with 23 offensive rebounds, including five of Palleschi's total of 11 in the game. Five of sophomore Drew Madsen's six rebounds were also at the offensive end. Palleschi blocked six shots and Madsen had three. Haladyna finished with nine rebounds and Spadaford grabbed seven as the Jumbos were +7 (47-40) overall. The 82 points are the second-highest total of the season for Tufts.

Falcon junior Kwame Lee nearly double-doubled with nine points and 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Sophomore Jalen Williams finished with nine points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Leonna Burgos made four steals.

Fitchburg plays a MASCAC game next at Bridgewater State Saturday at 3:00pm, while the Jumbos travel to Maine this weekend to close their NESCAC season starting Friday night at Colby. 

COURTESY OF TUFTS SID OFFICE