Fitchburg State Withstands Worcester State, 90-89 (OT)

Hill registers game-best 25 points to propel Falcons to key MASCAC victory

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team was in action this afternoon, defeating the Lancers of Worcester State University, 90-89 in overtime in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the John P. Brissette Competition Court.

Fitchburg State opened the contest on a 6-2 run as senior Jalen Williams collected a pair of buckets, while sophomore Nicholas Tracy notched the Falcons other basket. Worcester State grabbed the lead minutes later following a three-point play by senior Jeremy Bacon (7-6).

Both teams traded baskets on the next few possessions before the Falcons regained the lead following a 10-2 stretch on a pair of treys by senior Lance Hill, while junior Mustapha Koroma and senior Jaleel Bell added two points each to make the score 21-14.

The Falcons upped its margin with just over seven minutes remaining in the half as Koroma posted five straight points for the Green and Gold (36-25) before the Lancers cut the lead to 51-42 going into the  break on a layup by senior Aaron Anniballi with 33 second left in the frame. 

Following the intermission, Worcester State chipped away at the deficit, going on an 8-1 run on three-pointers by senior Ryan DiBernardo and newcomer Cal Howes, while Bacon and senior Paul Brooks added one jumper each (54-52).

The Lancers regained the lead later in the frame after buckets from junior Mickey Lyons and Bacon for the 63-60 advantage. The Falcons battled back, taking the lead 76-74 after a three ball by senior Leonny Burgos with 5:35 left in the second half.

With the score 80-78 in favor of Worcester State, the Falcons forced overtime when Hill converted a put back attempt off a missed shot by Bell with just three seconds on the clock.

In the overtime, Hill scored the Falcons first seven points in the stanza, including a pair of free-throws with four minutes left in the frame to give Fitchburg State the lead for good (82-80), resulting in the 90-89 final. 

Fitchburg State was paced by Hill, who netted a game-best 25 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Bell chipped in with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and four steals.

For Worcester State, junior Jamal Mustapha led the way with a team-leading 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Brooks added to the mix with a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards as well as two assists, two blocks and one steal.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State shot 31-ofr-79 (39.2%) from the field and (7-of-19) 16.8% from three-point range, while Worcester State finished 38-of-79 (48.1%) overall and (5-for-19) 26.3% from downtown.

Fitchburg State (6-7, 1-2 MASCAC) returns to action on Monday as it hosts the Gators of Pine Manor College at 3 p.m. Worcester State (3-12, 1-2) will travel to Bridgewater State to take on the Bears at 5:30 p.m.

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