Falcons Edged By Lancers, 79-77

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a tough 79-77 decision to the Lancers of Worcester State this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the John P. Brissette Court.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 77, Worcester State 79

Fitchburg State (8-16, 2-9 MASCAC) I Worcester State (13-11, 9-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Fitchburg State opened the contest with a 5-0 advantage on a three pointer by senior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) and a layup from classmate Jordan Jones (Worcester, Mass.) before Worcester State cut the lead to 14-11 on a Corey Olivier (Maynard, Mass.) three ball.

The Falcons extended their margin (20-11) with sophomore Devon Johnson (Washington, D.C.) netting a jumper, but the Lancer answered as senior Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) and junior Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) collected two free-throw each to trim the lead to 20-17.

The Green and Gold upped the advantage to 25-18 on a layup by Tracy before Worcester State battled back to knot the score at 29-29 as freshman Sam Dion (Barre, Mass.) connected on a three pointer. Fitchburg State regained the lead 33-29 on a Johnson jump, but the Lancers would take a 41-39 edge into the break with junior Joe Desormier (Granby, Mass.) notching a free-throw.

Following the intermission, Worcester State upped its margin with junior Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) connecting on a three pointer before Fitchburg State chipped the lead to 49-47 on a Jordan Jones layup.

The two teams traded buckets with Bjorn hitting for the Lancer, while Tracy netted the basket for the Falcons (51-49). Worcester State answered with a 7-0 run, capped by a Cardoso layup for the 58-49 edge, but Fitchburg State countered with a two baskets from Jones and a Tracy jumper to cut the lead to 60-55.

The Green and Gold closed the lead to 65-61 with junior Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) registering a layup and Toskany Abreu (Salem, Mass.) three ball before the Lancers responded with an Olivier three pointer to make the score 68-61.

Down the stretch, the visitors would cut the lead to 78-77 on an Abreu three-pointer, but the hosts secured the victory with Cardoso sinking one of two from charity stripe, resulting in the 79-77 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Tracy with a game-leading 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal
• Jones added a double-double of 20 points and 17 boards as well as four steals and two blocks for Fitchburg State
• For the Lancers, Cardoso collected a team-best 21 points, 11 caroms and three assists
• S. Dion chipped in with 20 points, two rebounds, two assists and five steals for Worcester State
• 111th meeting between Fitchburg State and Worcester State on the court with the Falcons 43-68 all-time vs. the Lancers
• Fitchburg State shot 29-for-62 (46.8%) from the field and (6-of-14) 42.9% from three point range
• Bridgewater State finished 30-of-53 (56.6%) overall and (9-for-17) 52.9% for beyond the arc
• Lancers held a narrow 40-39 margin on the boards

Up Next

Falcons will host the Rams of Framingham State University on Saturday for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 2:00 PM. Lancers will travel to Bridgewater State on the same date for a conference tilt at 3:00 PM.