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

Drayton finishes with a game best 24 points for the Green and Gold

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team dropped a 82-65 decision to the Raiders of Rivier University this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 65, Rivier 82

Records: Fitchburg State (0-3, 0-0 MASCAC) | Rivier (3-0, 0-0 GNAC)

How It Happened

First Half

Rivier raced out to a 14-5 advantage as junior Matt Constant (Laconia, NH) registered eight of the points for the visitors. Fitchburg State countered with three-pointers from sophomore Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) and junior Nicolas Von Zboray (Pollack Pines, CA) to make the score 20-13.

The Falcons went on a 10-1 run to take a 25-23 advantage on a pair of buckets by Jackson and sophomore Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) before the Raiders retied the contest at 25-25 when graduate student Kyler Bosse (Manchester, NH) connected on a layup.

The Green and Gold regained lead with a Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) layup and a three-ball and layup from Drayton for the 34-28 edge. Rivier capped the scoring in the first half with buckets by Bosse and senior Odarius Cade (Anderson, SC) to make the score 35-32 going into the break.

Second Half

Following the intermission, Rivier trimmed the deficit to 45-44 as Constant converted a layup and free-throw before Fitchburg State answered back with a Drayton layup (47-44). The Raiders took the lead back (55-47), going on an 11-0 run, capped by a pair of free-throws from Constant before the Falcons responded with a Drayton three-pointer to make the score 55-50.

The visitors pushed the lead to 68-53 with Bosse converting a pair from the charity stripe before the Falcons answered back with a Franks jumper and two free-throws by Drayton (70-57). The Green and Gold cut the lead to 74-61 with Von Zboray netting a layup, but Rivier secured the victory as Bosse hit a layup, resulting in the 82-65 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Drayton led the way for the Falcons with a game-best 24 points, six caroms and two assists
• Jackson chipped in with 15 points, 11 rebounds and one assist
• For the Raiders, Constant finished with a team-leading 20 points, five boards, two assists and one steal
• Bosse added 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists
• 11th meeting between Fitchburg State and Rivier on the basketball court with the Falcons 4-7 all-time when taking on the Raiders
• Fitchburg State shot 26-for-66 (39.4%) from the field and (6-of-20) 30.0% from three point range
• Rivier finished 27-of-62 (43.5%) overall and (4-for-21) 19.0% for beyond the arc
• The Raiders finished with a 33-29 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Dean College to take on the Bulldogs in non-conference action, starting at 1:00PM.

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