Falcons Nipped by Nichols, 84-75

Jimenez-Fox leads team with seven rebounds, 15 points 

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped an 84-75 decision to the Bison of Nichols College in non-conference action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 75, Nichols 84
Records: Fitchburg State (1-2) | Nichols (1-0)

How It Happened

The Bison opened the game strong jumping out to an 11-5 lead after a dunk from junior Jerome Cunningham (Westbury, NY) at the 14:40 mark. Nichols extended the lead to 26-15 when senior Marcos Echevarria (Lynn, Mass) drained a trey from the corner with 7:46 to play.

The Green and Gold would close out the first half with a 5-0 run including a three-point basket from freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass) and a pair free throws from junior Andre Ruff (Chicago, Ill.) to trail 37-27 at intermission.

The hosts opened the second stanza on a 13-7 run to trail 44-40. 

However, the Bison tightened up their defense and went on a 25-12 run over an eight minute span, capped by a DeAnte Brunto (New London, Conn.) layup for the biggest lead of the night (69-52).

Trailing by 15 (80-65) with 2:23 to play the Falcons finished with a 10-4 run, including back-to-back three-point shots from Kameron Jimenez-Fox (Boston, Mass.)  and Nicolas Tracy (Indianapolis, In.) for the 84-75 final.

Inside the Numbers

Fitchburg State was led by St. John and Jimenez-Fox who both added 15 points.

The Bison had six players in double-figures and sophomore Matt Morrow (Leicester, Mass.) led the visitors with the games only double-double knocking down 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Fitchburg State shot 27-for-55 (49.1%) from the field and (6-of-21) 268.6% from beyond the arc.

Nichols went 30-for-59 (50.8%) overall and (7-for-21) 33.3% from three point range.

Both teams finished with 35 rebounds.

This evening's contest marks the 38th meeting between the two teams in the sport of men's basketball with the Falcons currently 20-19 all-time when taking on the Bison.

Two teams have split the last six meetings (3-3), with the Nichols coming away with an 84-81 victory in the last matchup on November 26, 2012 at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Up Next

Falcons travel to Biddeford, Maine on Friday and Saturday for the annual University of New England Tip-Off. First game is Friday vs. UNE at 5:30 pm. Nichols will host the Lasers of Lasell College at 3:00 pm in their 2018 home opener.