Men's Basketball Falls To Hawks In Non-Conference Action

Jackson registers double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a tough 92-78 decision to the Hawks of Roger Williams University this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 78, Roger Williams 92

Records: Fitchburg State (6-4, 0-0 MASCAC) | Roger Williams (6-4, 3-0 CNE)

How It Happened

First Half

Roger Williams took a 5-4 edge to open the contest as sophomore Ashton Leclerc (Gorham, ME) hit a three pointer and layup by sophomore Ryan Hammerlund (Southington, CT) before Fitchburg State responded with buckets by junior Xavier Smaltz (Allentown, PA) and classmate Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) to take a 14-10 margin.

The Hawks regained the advantage (19-17) on a three-ball by Hammerlund, but the Falcons retied the contest at 19-19 as senior Duvall Price (Lanham, MD) sank a free-throw. The visitor retook the lead (32-21) with junior Joey Dwyer (Pembroke, MA) connecting on a layup.

Roger Williams pushed the margin to 40-27 with senior Ty Higgins (New Marlborough, MA) knocking down a three pointer before Fitchburg State reduced the deficit to 45-39 when junior Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) and Jean Charles registered baskets. The visitors would take a 49-40 lead into the break on a three pointer from Leclerc.

Second Half

Following the intermission, the two teams traded buckets to open the half as junior Takoma Rosario (Vista, CA) registered the bucket for the Falcons and Higgins hit the basket for the Hawks. Fitchburg State trimmed the lead to 61-53 as senior Nicolas Von Zboray (Sacramento, CA) buried a three-ball before Roger Williams upped the margin to 63-53 with junior Finn Miller (Stamford, CT) registering a layup.

The Hawks extended the lead to 76-57 with Leclerc netting a layup, but the Falcons answered back when Von Zboray knocked down back-to-back three balls, while junior Anthony Joseph (Palm Bay, FL) added a three-pointer as well to make the score 79-67,

The Green and Gold cut the lead to 84-76 as Von Zboray buried another three pointer and Jackson hit a layup, but the Hawks secured the victory when Leclerc connected on a three-ball, resulting in the 92-78 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson led the way for the Falcons with a game-leading 21 points, 12 rebounds and one assist
• Von Zboray added 15 points, three boards and one assist
• For the Hawks, Leclerc finished with a team-best 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal
• Senior Phillip Sughrue (Winchester, MA) chipped in with 15 points, three boards, four assists and one steal
• Fitchburg State shot 28-for-72 (38.9%) from the field and (7-of-25) 28.0% from three point range
• Roger Williams finished 32-of-65 (49.2%) overall and (12-for-31) 38.7% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons held a 46-34 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action Saturday, January 3rd as they host the Pride of Regis College in non-conference action, starting at 12:00PM.

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