Men’s Basketball Holds Off Trailblazers In MASCAC Action

Jackson nets team-best 29 points for Green & Gold

North Adams, Mass. – Fitchburg State held off a late charge from MCLA to secure a 97–96 victory in MASCAC men's basketball action, earning its third straight conference win behind timely shooting and late-game execution on the road in North Adams.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 97, MCLA 96 

Records: Fitchburg State (9-8, 3-3 MASCAC), MCLA (4-11, 1-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

The Falcons set the tone early behind the hot shooting of Matthew Drayton (Roxbury, MA) and Nicolas Von Zboray (Sacramento, CA). Drayton knocked down three triples in the opening half, while Zboray added a pair of three-pointers to help Fitchburg State open up a 17–7 advantage midway through the period. Defensive pressure from Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) and Takoma Rosario (Vista, CA) forced multiple turnovers and fueled transition scoring opportunities.

Fitchburg continued to control the tempo late in the half as Tommy Engel-Chatten (Hopkinton, MA) connected on a three-pointer and added points at the free-throw line, allowing the Falcons to maintain their edge. Jackson provided a steady presence inside, finishing through contact and pulling down key rebounds on both ends of the floor, while Kobe Witherow-Bass (Sacramento, CA) converted timely free throws.

MCLA made a late push to trim the deficit in the closing minutes, but Fitchburg State answered with clutch shooting and defensive stops to preserve its lead heading into the break.

The Falcons opened the second period with an 11–0 run, fueled by Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) and Jalen Jackson. Charles scored on a putback and followed with a three-pointer, while Jackson finished consecutive layups to push Fitchburg State in front 52–43 less than three minutes into the half.

Fitchburg continued to extend its advantage midway through the period as Nicolas Von Zboray connected from long range and Jackson controlled the paint, helping the Falcons build a double-digit cushion. Despite MCLA trimming the margin with perimeter shooting, Fitchburg answered with timely baskets from Jackson, Tommy Engel-Chatten, and Charles to maintain control.

MCLA mounted a late surge and eventually tied the game at 75–75, but Fitchburg State responded once again. Von Zboray knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, and Charles added key finishes inside to restore the Falcons' lead. Jackson's basket with 37 seconds remaining, followed by a free throw, proved critical as Fitchburg held a slim advantage in the closing moments.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson led the Falcons with 29 points and 9 rebounds
• Jean-Charles netted a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards
• MCLA held the advantage in field goal % (56.1%-46.3%)
• The Green and Gold outrebounded the Trailblazers 36-28 in the win

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday, when they host Westfield State at 7:00 PM.

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