Falcons Defeated By Nor’easters, 117-102

Perez finishes with game-best 26 points in non-conference setback

Biddeford, Maine – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped a 117-102 decision to the University of New England Nor'easters this evening in opening round action of the 2018 Hampton Inn Jim Beaudry Classic at the Alfond Forum.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 102, University of NE 117
Records: Fitchburg State (1-3) | UNE (1-1)

How It Happened

The University of New England opened a 14-3 advantage as sophomore Jordan Bagshaw (Cumberland, Maine) buried back-to-back three's before Fiktchburg State chipped the lead to 14-10 following a pair of free-throws.

The Nor'easters took its largest lead of the half (36-25) when Bagshaw knocked down yet another three ball, but the Falcons battled back to make the score 44-39 as senior Jonathan Perez (Lowell, Mass.) and freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) connected on jumpers. UNE took a 53-44 edge into the break with junior Avery DeBrito (New Bedford, Mass.) hit a three ball.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State cut the deficit to two (58-56) on a pair of layups from junior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.), but UNE answered with a 6-0 run, capped by a Ryan Beatty (Rochester, Mass.) for the 68-58 edge.

The Nor'easters extended their lead (98-87) as DeBrito drained a three-pointer before Tracy connected on two more buckets for the Green and Gold to cut the lead to 100-91. UNE secured the victory though when junior Jackson McCoy (East Montpelier, Vt.) sank a pair from the charity stripe, resulting in the 117-102 final

By The Numbers

This evening's contest marks the first ever meeting between the teams on the basketball court.

The Falcons were led by Perez with a game-best 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals, while junior Kameron Jimenez-Fox (Boston, Mass.) added a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards.

For the Nor'easters, DeBrito finished with 20 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals, while McCoy chipped in with 16 points, four caroms, one assist and one steal.

Fitchburg State finished 35-of-81 (43.1%) from the field, including (5-for-21) 23.8 % from beyond the arc, while UNE shot 41.7% (35-of-84) overall and 17-for-43 (39.5%) from three-point land.

The Nor'easters held a 60-44 margin on the glass, while the Falcons finished with a 54-32 advantage in point in the paint.

Up Next

Falcons will take on either Trinity or Husson tomorrow in the consolation round of the 2018 Hampton Inn Jim Beaudry Classic at 1:00 PM. Nor'easters will battle the winner of the Trinity/Husson game tomorrow in the championship game, starting at 3:00 PM.