Fitchburg State Edges Albertus Magnus, 91-85

Burgos and Hill combine for 42 points for Falcons in non-conference victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team was in action this evening, defeating the Falcons of Albertus Magnus College, 91-85 in non-conference action at the Nest.

Albertus Magnus went on a 7-2 run early in the contest on a layup by sophomore Jaqhawn Walters as well as a jumper and three pointer from classmate Luciano Martinez to take 9-4 lead just 2:19 into the contest.

With the score knotted at 13-13, Fitchburg State proceeded to go on an 11-0 stretch as junior guard Jaleel Bell ignited the run, knocking down a trey before adding a pair of jumpers, while fellow junior Lance Hill and senior Givaughn Jones also had buckets during the run to make the score 24-13.

The hosts battled back to cut the deficit to two (34-32), going on a 10-0 run. Senior Dayron Caldwell started it off by sinking four free-throws, while Martinez, freshman Shontaey Lovell and junior Bernard Kline added baskets before Fitchburg State closed the half with layup from sophomore Jalen Williams to take a 43-36 advantage into the locker room.

Following the break, the Green and Gold would go up by as many as 16 points in the opening minutes of the second half, going on a 12-3 streak on a pair of baskets by junior Leonny Burgos, while Jones, Bell and senior Kwame Lee also knocked down buckets en-route to the 57-41 margin with 16:13 remaining in the contest.

Albertus Magnus slowed chipped into the deficit, regaining the lead (82-81)with 2:54 left in the contest on a jumper senior Marc Wilson before Fitchburg State reclaimed the lead for good with a layup by Jones, en-route to the 91-85 final

Burgos led the way for Fitchburg State, posting a team-best 22 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Hill added to the mix with 20 points, two caroms, one assist, one block and pair of steals. Bell was also solid for the Green and Gold , pouring in 19 points, eight boards, six assists and three steals.

For Albertus Magnus, Wilson recorded a game-best 26 points, four boards, one assist, one steal and a block, while Lovell notched a double-double of 18 points and 13 caroms, while adding three assists, one steal and two blocks for the hosts.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State shot a stellar 35-for-65 (53.8%)from the field as well as a sizzling 94.4% (17-of-18) from the charity stripe, while Albertus Magnus was equally as impressive, shooting 30-for-59 (50.8%) and 58.8% (20-of-34) from the free-throw line.

Fitchburg State (5-5, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Wednesday at it hosts the Falcons of Fisher College for a contest starting at 7 p.m. Albertus Magnus (5-1, 3-0 GNAC) will host the Bulldogs of Brooklyn College on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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