Fitchburg State Nipped By Bridgewater State, 83-77

Bell nets 23 points and nine rebounds for Falcons in MASCAC setback

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough 83-77 setback to the Bears of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Tinsley Center this evening.

Fitchburg State grabbed a 6-2 lead early in the first half as senior forward Jalen Williams connected on a pair of layups as well as sinking a pair of free-throws. Bridgewater State answered back with buckets from senior Fawaz Mass, junior Rocky DeAndrade and classmate Joseph Carty to knot the score at 8-8.

The Falcons regained the lead (16-13) midway through the frame on a pair of jumpers from junior Josh Bosworth and a basket by junior Chima Ebele before the Bears regained the advantage on  a three ball from DeAndrade to make the score 21-18.

Both teams proceeded to trade baskets throughout the remainder of the contest with senior Lance Hill connecting on a bucket with just four seconds left in the half to put the Falcons up 30-28 going into the locker room.

In the second half, Bridgewater State opened the scoring with a trey by senior Patrick McGuinness to put the hosts up 31-30. The back and forth affair continued as senior Jaleel Bell knocked down a trey of his own to give the Falcons the 40-38 lead with 16:20 left in the frame.

The Green and Gold extended its lead (54-45), following an 8-0 run with sophomore Nicholas Tracy and Hill draining a pair of three-pointers, while Ebele added a layup before the Bears knotted the score at 65 all following a three ball from senior Keyon Armstrong.

With the score 68-67, Carty connected on a jumper to give lead back to the Bears (69-68) for good as Bridgewater State converted 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 83-77 final.

Fitchburg State was paced by Bell, who finished with a team-leading 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block, while Williams added 12 points, six caroms and one steal for the Green and Gold.

For Bridgewater State, Carty registered a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds as well as three assists and two blocks, while DeAndrade chipped in 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Throughout the game, Fitchburg State shot 30-for-61 (49.2 %) overall and (5-of-11) 45.5% from downtown, while the Bears finished 26-of-59 (44.1%) from the field and (8-for-27) 29.6% from three point range.

Fitchburg State (5-8, 0-2 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it visits Worcester State to take on the Lancers for a contest starting at 1 p.m. Bridgewater State (8-7, 1-1 MASCAC) will travel to Salem State on Saturday at 1 p.m.