Men's Basketball Upended By Bulldogs

Jackson finishes with game-leading 14 points for Green and Gold

Franklin, MA – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough 64-55 setback to the Bulldogs of Dean College this afternoon in non-conference action from Pieri Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 55, Dean 64

Records: Fitchburg State (0-4, 0-0 MASCAC) | Dean (3-0, 0-0 GNAC)

How It Happened

First Half

The two teams traded buckets to open the contest with sophomore Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) and sophomore Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) netting baskets for the Falcons, while junior Randy Vasquez (Methuen, MA) had both buckets for the Bulldogs (4-4).

Dean took a 13-8 advantage as newcomer Tyler Nordstrom (Sterling, CT) buried a three-pointer before Fitchburg State answered back with layups from Drayton and freshman Trevor Oliver (Douglas, MA) to make the score 13-12.

The Green and Gold battled back, taking a 31-30 edge on a layup from sophomore Braeden White (Spencer, MA) and a free-throw by Drayton, but the hosts knotted the score at 31-31 going into the break as Nordstrom hit one of two from the charity stripe.

Second Half

Following the intermission, Dean grabbed a 38-35 edge as junior Billy Ray Barnes III (Carson, CA) hit a layup, but Fitchburg State answered back with a layup from sophomore Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) to make the score 38-37.

The Falcons would take a 43-41 edge when Jackson connected on a layup, but the Bulldogs regained the lead (47-43) with junior PJ Brinkman (Chula Vista, CA) registering a bucket. The Green and Gold tied the contest (53-53) as junior Nicolas Von Zboray (Pollack Pines, CA) hit a free-throw. Trailing 55-53, Fitchburg State tied the contest again with a pair of free-throws by Oliver before the Bulldogs grabbed the lead for good with Nordstorm registering a layup, resulting in the 64-55 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson lead the way for the Falcons with a game-leading 14 points, ten boards and two assists
• Drayton chipped in with nine points, five rebounds and one steal
• For the Bulldogs, Vasquez finished with a team-best 13 points and eight caroms
• Senior Ja'maine Davenport (Mays Landing, NJ) added 12 points and four rebounds
• Fifth meeting between Fitchburg State and Dean on the basketball court with the Falcons 2-3 all-time when taking on the Bulldogs
• Fitchburg State shot 21-for-58 (36.2%) from the field and (0-of-11) 0.0% from three point range
• Dean finished 24-of-67 (35.8%) overall and (4-for-17) 23.5% for beyond the arc
• The Bulldogs held a narrow with a 46-45 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they host the Beacons of UMass Boston for a non-conference clash, starting at 6:00PM.

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