Men’s Basketball Clips Bears In MASCAC Clash

Jackson nets game best 27 points for the Green & Gold 

Bridgewater, Mass. - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team earned a hard-fought 95–93 victory over Bridgewater State on Saturday afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action,

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 95, Bridgewater State 93

Records: Fitchburg State (10-9, 4-4 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (6-13, 4-4 MASCAC)

How It Happened.

The Falcons opened the game, scoring the first four points as Jalen Jackson finished inside and Takoma Rosario added a layup for an early 4–0 edge. Nicolas Von Zboray and Rosario later connected from three-point range, helping Fitchburg State stretch its lead to 10–2 less than three minutes into the contest.

Bridgewater State trimmed the margin midway through the half, briefly pulling within one, but Fitchburg responded with a run fueled by Jackson and Matthew Drayton. Jackson scored on consecutive possessions in the paint while Drayton knocked down a jumper, pushing the Falcons back in front 16–13.

Fitchburg State created separation late in the half, using a combination of interior scoring and trips to the free-throw line. Kobe Witherow-Bass converted inside, Drayton added a three-pointer, and Jackson continued to attack the rim as the Falcons built their largest lead of the half at 45–30 with just over three minutes remaining. Jackson capped the half with a layup in the final minute as the Falcons carried a 50–44 advantage into halftime.

Bridgewater State came out of the break locked in and quickly went back in front. Jalen Jackson and Matthew Drayton combined to help the Falcons regain the lead at 54–53 just over four minutes into the second half.

The Falcons pushed the advantage to 63–58 midway through the half following a Witherow-Bass layup and a Tommy Engel-Chatten dunk, but Bridgewater State answered with a run of its own to close the gap. Despite the Bears briefly pulling even at 69–69 with just under 10 minutes remaining, Fitchburg responded with timely baskets from Tyreik Williams and Von Zboray to stay composed.

Down the stretch, Fitchburg leaned on its defense and execution. Engel-Chatten converted free throws to give the Falcons an 89–87 edge with under four minutes to play, and Takoma Rosario knocked down a clutch three-pointer moments earlier to keep momentum on Fitchburg's side. Jackson sealed the game in the final minute with a key defensive rebound and an assist on Drayton's go-ahead layup, giving the Falcons a 95–93 lead.

Bridgewater State had multiple chances in the closing seconds, but Fitchburg State came up with stops, to secure the 95–93 conference victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Jalen Jackson with 27 points, while Von Zboray chipped in with 14
• Fitchburg State shot 35 of 64 (54.7%) from the field and (10-of-25) 38.5% from three-point range
• Bridgewater State went 39 of 74 (50.9%) overall and (9-for-28) 32.1% from beyond the arc
• The Bears finished with a 36 -34 margin on the glass
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Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday, when they travel to Framingham State for a 7:30 tip-off.

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