Men’s Basketball Drop Season Finale To Owls

Withrow-Bass & Von Zboray net 18 points each for Green & Gold

Westfield, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team concluded the season with a 90-87 loss to the Owls of Westfield State in MASCAC action on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 87, Westfield State 90

 Records: Fitchburg State (11-14, 5-9 MASCAC) | Westfield State (20-5, 12-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened.

After Westfield State claimed a 10-7 edge, the Falcons responded with an 8-2 run capped by a Nicolas Von Zboray three-pointer to regain momentum. Zboray knocked down three shots from beyond the arc in the first half and later converted a triple at the 2:33 mark to give Fitchburg its largest lead of the frame at 42-32. Fitchburg State held a slim 42-38 advantage at the break.

The Falcons carried that energy into the second half, extending their lead to 51-41 following another Zboray three at 18:07. Matthew Drayton proved pivotal in the paint, scoring 12 second-half points, including back-to-back baskets to maintain a 67-60 cushion with 11:07 remaining.

Westfield State battled back to even the score at 72-72 with 8:17 to play, but Fitchburg answered once again. Xavier Smaltz converted a pair from the stripe to make it 76-74, and Takoma Rosario added two technical free throws to push the Falcons ahead 78-74 with just over five minutes remaining.

With the score knotted at 82-82, Joshua Jean Charles and Kobe Witherow-Bass delivered consecutive layups to give Fitchburg an 84-82 edge with 2:15 left. Engel-Chatten later split a pair at the line to put the Falcons ahead 85-84 with 1:37 remaining. However, Westfield State converted in transition in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Witherow-Bass and Von Zboray each chipped in with 18 points for the Falcons
• Fitchburg State shot 32-60 (53.3%) from the field and (5-15) 33.3% from three-point range
• Westfield State went 31-69 (44.9%) overall and (10-18)  55.6% for beyond the arc

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