Falcons Downed by Owls on Senior Night, 82-77

Falcons Downed by Owls on Senior Night, 82-77

Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team fell to the Owls of Westfield State 82-77 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Wednesday evening.

In a pre-game ceremony, the Falcons honored four seniors that have made significant contributions to men's basketball program. Recognized were Joshua Nelson, Jonathan Perez, Anselm Edegbe, and Charlie Ollis.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State University 77, Westfield State University 82
Records: Fitchburg State (11-13, 6-5 MASCAC) | Westfield State (14-10, 7-4 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State University took an early 11-9 advantage after junior Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) had a good lay-in five minutes into the frame. Westfield countered with a beyond-the-arc basket from sophomore Christopher Prophet (Springfield, Mass.) to take the 12-11 lead.

Trailing 17-11 the green and gold buried baskets from Devan Harris (Danvers, Mass.) and freshman Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) to cut the deficit to one (17-16). The Owls responded with a 13-6 run, including four points each from senior Marcus Collins (Cambridge, Mass.) and junior Vawn Lord (Amherst, Mass.) to extend the lead (30-22).

The Falcons closed the half with a basket from Perez and two from the charity stripe from junior Andre Ruff (Chicago, Ill.) to trail 40-32 at intermission.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State cut into the deficit (44-36) as Doss knocked down a jumper, but Westfield State answered back with four straight points for the 48-36 edge. The Hosts once again made it and eight point ballgame (58-50) with hoops from Ruff and McKenzie midway through the stanza.

Five points from Perez and tight defense by the Falcons cut the Westfield lead to 68-64. On the next possession Harris answered with a bucket in the paint to make it a 2-point ballgame (68-66) with four minutes on the clock.

Westfield's Lord converted a three-point play leading the Owls down the stretch to the 82-77 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State was led by Harris with a team-best 18 points and ten rebounds, while Ruff added 17 points and 8 boards for the Green and Gold. Perez added 11 points off the bench.
• For Westfield State, Lord posted a game-high 22 points and nine caroms, while Marcus Collins added 21 points and eight rebounds.
• Fitchburg State shot 29-for-60 (48.3%) from the field and (5-of-16) 31.3 from beyond the arc.
• The Owls went 27-of-65 (41.5%) overall and (3-of-10) 30% from three point range.
• Fitchburg held the rebounding advantage 43-32

Up Next

Falcons will conclude the regular season on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Bridgewater State to take on the Bears at 1:00pm. The Owls will host the Lancers of Worcester State in MASCAC action on the same day with a 12:00 pm tipoff.