Fitchburg State Scores One Vs. SUNY Cobleskill, 108-98

Falcons clinch NEC Tip-Off Championship behind Valliere’s double-double effort

HENNIKER, N.H. (November 17, 2012) – The Fitchburg State men’s basketball team captured the 2012-13 New England College Tip-Off Championship this afternoon after downing SUNY Cobleskill, 108-98 in non-conference action.

Six players scored in double-figures leading the Falcons to a 2-0 start of the 2012-13 season. Both teams battled evenly through the entire first half of play that saw eight ties and eight lead changes. SUNY Cobleskill built its largest lead of the game (55-47) just before the break, using a 9-2 run in the final three minutes of the opening frame.

SUNY led by as many as nine in the second half before Fitchburg State strung together a 16-0 run to go up 68-61 with 13 minutes remaining to play. The Falcons continued with their offensive pressure building a 15 point lead midway through the half, but Cobleskill battled back, cutting the lead to five. The Fighting Tigers would not get any closer however as the Falcons connected for an impressive 87% from the foul line in the second half to solidify the 108-98 victory.

Senior Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) finished with a double-double scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while junior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) added 21 points, seven rebounds and dished out six assists. Senior Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) was also solid, chipping in 20 points on the afternoon.

Leading the way for Cobleskill was Tyrone Mitchell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) who finished with a game-high 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field.  Will Davis (White Plains, N.Y.) and Mike Marcelin (Dix Hill, N.Y.) each chipped in 15 points, while Travis Woods (Mount Union, N.Y.) led the Fighting Tigers in rebounds with eight.

Fitchburg State (2-0, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Tuesday night as it hosts UMass Boston at 7:30 p.m.