Embry-Riddle Tops Fitchburg State, 96-80

Skiffington and London lead Falcons with two 15 point efforts

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 29, 2008) - Senior Brian Skiffington (North Adams, Mass./Hoosac Valley) and junior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) totaled 30 combined points as Fitchburg State suffered a tough 96-80 setback to Embry-Riddle in day one of the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Skiffington led the Falcon charge with 15 points, two rebounds and two steals while London netted 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and three boards. Junior Timothy Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) was also solid with 12 points and a team-high eight caroms.

Junior Eric Lorenzi (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz) led all scorers with a double-double, totaling a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Denver Cobb (Daytona Beach, Fla./Father Lopez) was also strong with 26 points, seven rebounds and four steals while classmate Tyler Debourd (Saint Cloud, Fla./Saint Cloud) added 18 points and five rebounds.

Embry-Riddle held a slim two point advantage at the half, out-scoring Fitchburg State 48-46. The Eagles shot 60.5% from the floor as Cobb notched 14 points in the frame. The Falcons were also solid in the first half, hitting 17-of-37 shots (45.4%) as Skiffington connected for a team-high 11 first half points.

In the second half, Embry-Riddle opened with an 8-0 run to grab an early 56-46 advantage. Tyler led the Eagles with a huge three-pointer just 1:07 into the period while sophomore Glen Dalcourt (Franklin, Ky./Franklin-Simpson) and Debourd tallied lay-ups. Embry-Riddle increased its lead to 72-53 and secured its 11^th victory of the season as Cobb connected for eight points in an Eagle 13-2 scoring surge with seven minutes remaining in regulation.

Fitchburg State (4-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again tomorrow as it takes on Dickinson College at 4 p.m. Embry-Riddle (11-2, 0-0 TSC) will face Covenant (Ga.) on January 2^nd at 7 p.m.

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Embry-Riddle 96, Fitchburg State 80