Fitchburg State Nipped By Bridgewater State, 83-77
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men’s basketball team suffered a tough 83-77 setback to the Bears of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Tinsley Center this evening.
Bell nets 23 points and nine rebounds for Falcons in MASCAC setback
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough 83-77 setback to the Bears of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Tinsley Center this evening.
Fitchburg State grabbed a 6-2 lead early in the first half as senior forward Jalen Williams connected on a pair of layups as well as sinking a pair of free-throws. Bridgewater State answered back with buckets from senior Fawaz Mass, junior Rocky DeAndrade and classmate Joseph Carty to knot the score at 8-8.
The Falcons regained the lead (16-13) midway through the frame on a pair of jumpers from junior Josh Bosworth and a basket by junior Chima Ebele before the Bears regained the advantage on a three ball from DeAndrade to make the score 21-18.
Both teams proceeded to trade baskets throughout the remainder of the contest with senior Lance Hill connecting on a bucket with just four seconds left in the half to put the Falcons up 30-28 going into the locker room.
In the second half, Bridgewater State opened the scoring with a trey by senior Patrick McGuinness to put the hosts up 31-30. The back and forth affair continued as senior Jaleel Bell knocked down a trey of his own to give the Falcons the 40-38 lead with 16:20 left in the frame.
The Green and Gold extended its lead (54-45), following an 8-0 run with sophomore Nicholas Tracy and Hill draining a pair of three-pointers, while Ebele added a layup before the Bears knotted the score at 65 all following a three ball from senior Keyon Armstrong.
With the score 68-67, Carty connected on a jumper to give lead back to the Bears (69-68) for good as Bridgewater State converted 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 83-77 final.
Fitchburg State was paced by Bell, who finished with a team-leading 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block, while Williams added 12 points, six caroms and one steal for the Green and Gold.
For Bridgewater State, Carty registered a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds as well as three assists and two blocks, while DeAndrade chipped in 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Throughout the game, Fitchburg State shot 30-for-61 (49.2 %) overall and (5-of-11) 45.5% from downtown, while the Bears finished 26-of-59 (44.1%) from the field and (8-for-27) 29.6% from three point range.
Fitchburg State (5-8, 0-2 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it visits Worcester State to take on the Lancers for a contest starting at 1 p.m. Bridgewater State (8-7, 1-1 MASCAC) will travel to Salem State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
