Men's Basketball I Upended By Owls In Conference Action

Westfield, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a 92-79 decision to the Owls of Westfield State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Woodward Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 79, Westfield State 92

Fitchburg State (2-14, 0-3 MASCAC) I Westfield State (11]2-5, 3-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Westfield State opened the contest with an 8-2 lead on a bucket from sophomore Juju Omot (Springfield, MA) before Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 8-6 on baskets by senior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, MA) and freshman Braeden White (Spencer, MA). The Owls pushed the advantage to 13-6 with a three ball by junior Angel Price-Espada (Cambridge, MA) but the Falcons answered back as White sank a free-throw (13-7).

The hosts went on an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 21-7 on three pointer from junior Lid Moreland (Bridgeport, CT), but the Green and Gold responded as newcomers Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) and Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) netted layups (29-13). Fitchburg State trimmed the lead to 40-27 on a pair of three-balls from Franks before Westfield State took a 44-27 margin into the break on a Moreland layup.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State opened the frame with a White layup before Westfield State countered with buckets by senior Andre Hairston (Long Island, NY) and classmate Brendon Hamilton (Worcester, MA) for the 48-29 edge. The Falcons continued to cut away at the lead (61-41) on baskets by sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, MA) and White, but the Owls upped the lead to 70-49 on a Hamilton layup.

Franks and freshman Donald Brown Jr (Baltimore, MD) registered layups for the Green and Gold to make the score 76-57, but the Owls upped the margin to 80-60 as Hamilton collected a jumper. Fitchburg State responded as newcomer Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) netted a layup (87-68) before Westfield State secured the victory on a Hairston layup, resulting in the 92-79 final.

Inside the Numbers                                                                                                 

• Falcons were led by Franks with a team-best 21 points, five caroms, one assist and one steal
• Siayor added 18 points, one board, three assists and two steals
• For the Owls, Hamilton finished with a game-leading 28 points, 18 rebounds and one steal
• Senior Doug Alves (Taunton, MA) chipped in with 12 points and two boards
• 122nd meeting between Fitchburg State and Westfield State on the hardwood with the Falcons 29-93 all-time when taking on the Owls
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-60 (41.7%) from the field and (8-of-19) 42.1% from three-point range
• Westfield State finished 33-of-71 (46.5%) overall and (7-for-27) 25.9% for beyond the arc
• Owls held a 49-30 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday when they host the Bears of Bridgewater State in MASCAC action with a 7:00PM tipoff.

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