Falcons Suffer Setback to MCLA Trailblazers, 83-80

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team dropped an 83-80 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) match-up tonight at Parkinson gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 80, MCLA 83
Records: Fitchburg State (8-13, 2-6 MASCAC) | MCLA (14-6, 7-1 MCLA)

How It Happened

The Trailblazers pushed out to a 6-4 score with a layup from freshman Chris Becker (Lake George, NY) however the Falcons countered with a five points from Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) to hold a 16-10 lead with 12 minutes to play. MCLA responded with a 5-0 run including a deep ball from junior Hayden Bird (Clarksburg, Mass.) to cut the deficit to 19-17. The Green and Gold took the largest lead (32-21) of the frame with just over four minutes remaining with another basket from Doss, but MCLA closed the half with four from the charity stripe to close the gap to 36-29 heading into intermission.

Junior Anthony Diaz (Harrisburg, Penn.) and freshman Keegan Sharp (Townsend, Mass.) opened the second half with back-to-back buckets to extend Fitchburg State's lead to eleven (40-29). MCLA strung together a 12-5 run midway through the stanza to get within two (52-50) with thirteen minutes to play. Sophomore Devon Johnson (Washington, DC) answered with three consecutive baskets to push the Falcons' cushion to 58-50. Once again, MCLA responded with a duo of three-pointers from Bird and junior Mike DeMartinis (Burlington, Mass.) to take the lead 71-69. Johnson would knot the score 73-all with a pair of free throws with 3:25 to play. MCLA would seal the win with a layup from freshman Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, Mass.) and four points from senior Ki-Shawn Monroe (Springfield, Mass.).

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State had two players with double-doubles.  Johnson poured in a team-leading 20 points, 10 boards and seven assists, while Doss added 18 points with 11 caroms off the bench.
• The Trailblazers were paced by DeMartinis' game-high 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 helpers.
• Fitchburg State went 31-for-74 (41.3%) overall and (6-for-19) 31.6% from three point range.
• MCLA shot 22-for-54 (40.7%) from the field and (9-of-17) 52.9% from beyond the arc.
• The Falcons held a slight 47-42 edge on the glass.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will host the Owls of Westfield State on Saturday afternoon while MCLA will travel to Salem State University on the same day.