Fitchburg State Roars Past MCLA, 90-65
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fitchburg St. (13-10, 8-2) | 38 | 52 | 90 |
|
MCLA (2-20, 0-11) | 27 | 38 | 65 |
Bell and Bosworth combine for 45 points for Falcons in key MASCAC victory
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team defeated the Trailblazers of MCLA, 90-65 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium.
Fitchburg State took an early 8-4 lead following buckets from senior Jaleel Bell, sophomore Nicholas Tracy and junior Joshua Bosworth before MCLA answered with a three-pointer by junior Nolan Bird (8-7).
The Falcons responded with an 11-2 run as Bell knocked down a trey, while senior Jalen Williams added four points. The Trailblazers cut into the deficit (34-27) with junior Joseph Wiggins leading the charge, netting all eight of his first half points during that span.
The Green and Gold closed the out the first with back-to-back jumper by junior Chima Ebele and Bosworth as Fitchburg State took a 38-27 advantage into the locker room.
Following the break, MCLA made it a six-point game (38-32) as Wiggins connected on a layup, while junior Keiland Cross converted jumper and a free throw. Fitchburg State went on a 7-2 stretch as Bell, Williams and newcomer Marcos Germosen hit baskets to make the score 50-36.
The Falcons secured its 13th win on the year, closing out the contest on an 8-0 run with Williams and junior Jeremiah Ephraim hitting jumpers, while Bell and Bosworth sank two free throws each, resulting in the 90-65 final.
Bell led the way for Fitchburg State with a game-best 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block, while Bosworth added 20 points, five boards and one block for the Falcons. For MCLA, Wiggins finished with a team-leading 23 points, seven caroms and one steal, while Cross chipped in with 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block for the Trailblazers in the setback.
For the contest, Fitchburg State shot 35-for-72 (48.4%) from the field and (4-of-14) from long range, while MCLA finished 23-of-65 (35.4%) and (3-for-19) 15.8% from downtown. The Green and Gold also controlled the glass, holding a 49-33 edge in rebounds.
Fitchburg State (13-10, 8-2 MASCAC) returns to action on Wednesday as it travels to Salem State to take on the Vikings at 5:30 p.m. MCLA (2-20, 0-11 MASCAC) will visit Pine Manor College on Wednesday for a contest starting at 7 p.m.