Men's Basketball Topped By Spartans In Non-Conference Action

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a 77-64 decision to the Spartans of Vermont State Castleton this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 64, Vermont State Castleton 77

Fitchburg State (2-6, 0-0 MASCAC) I Castleton (3-5, 0-1 LEC)

How It Happened

1st half

Castleton opened the contest on a 9-0 run as graduate student Joe Russell (Titusville, FL) netted seven points before Fitchburg State answered back with a three ball from freshman Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) to make the score 9-3.

The Spartans pushed the lead to 17-3 with Russell draining another three-pointer, but the Falcons countered on a Frederick Siayor (Worcester, MA) three ball and a jumper to cut the deficit to 19-8. The Green and Gold proceeded to cut into the lead as Franks connected on a jumper, while newcomer Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) added back-to-back layups to make the score 42-17.

The hosts continued to battle as freshmen Donald Brown Jr (Baltimore, MD) and Tryston Ofoh (Baltimore, MD) netted layups before Castleton closed out the scoring in the first half with an Adam Bilodeau (Milton, VT) jumper to give the Spartans a 48-21 advantage.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Castleton upped the margin to 54-30 on a layup by sophomore Will Radcliff (Clifton Park, NY), but Fitchburg State answered with a layup from freshman Colin Quinn (South Hadley, MA) (54-32).

The Spartans extended the lead (60-34) with a three-point play from freshman Zach Thompson (Enfield, CT) before the Falcons countered with a layup by Brown Jr and a three-ball from classmate Diallo Barry (Baltimore, MD) to cut the lead to 62-39.

The Green and Gold trimmed the lead to 77-58 on buckets by Brown Jr and freshman Jackson Owens (Buford, GA), while newcomer Juelez Campbell (Lexington, MA) added a three ball. The Falcons closed out the scoring as newcomer Jayson Njoroge (Jefferson, MA) connected on an and one and an Owens layup, resulting in the 77-64 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Brown Jr with a team-best ten points and three caroms
• Taylor added eight points, one rebound, one steal and one block
• For the Spartans, Russell finished with a game-leading 23 points and six boards
• Graduate student Scott Lampron (Concord, NH) chipped in with 19 points and six rebounds
• 14th meeting between the two team on the hardwood with the Falcons 9-5 all-time when taking on the Spartans
• Fitchburg State shot 26-for-75 (34.7%) from the field and (6-of-26) 23.1% from three-point range
• Castleton finished 26-of-58 (44.8%) overall and (8-for-17) 47.1% for beyond the arc
• Spartans finished with a 47-44 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Roger Williams to take on the Hawks in non-conference action, starting at 1:00PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.