Falcons Nipped By Trailblazers In Conference Action

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Men's Basketball team dropped a tough 66-64 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Amsler Center.

Score: Fitchburg State 64, MCLA 66

Fitchburg State (7-11, 2-5 MASCAC), MCLA (7-11, 3-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Fitchburg State opened the contest with 6-3 edge as senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) netted a pair of buckets, while classmate Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) added a basket. The Falcons pushed the lead to 16-7 when freshman Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) drained a three-pointer before MCLA went on a 12-1, capped by a three-ball by junior Kumar Lewis (East Elmshurst, N.Y.) to give the host a 19-17 margin.

The Trailblazers extended the lead to 22-18 with sophomore JoJo Garcia (Henderson, Nev.) hit a three-pointer, but Fitchburg State battled back to take a 26-25 advantage on a Joyner layup. MCLA regained the lead (30-26) on baskets from senior Reece Racette (North Adams, Mass.) and newcomer Jayden Mills (Bronx, N.Y.).

The Green and Gold answered back on a Jaylen Swan (Bellville, N.J.) jumper to reduce the deficit to 36-33 before MCLA took a 40-34) lead into the break with junior Mamadou Diallo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) registering a layup.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, MCLA upped the lead to 46-34 on a three-pointer from sophomore Korey Greenland (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), but Fitchburg State got two baskets from Joyner to make the score 46-38.

The Trailblazers pushed the advantage to 57-46 with graduate student Noah Yearsley (Averill Park, N.Y.) connecting on a three ball before the Falcons sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) notched a jumper and Joyner added another three-pointer to make the score 61-55.

The Green and Gold went on a 7-1 run late in the contest to knot the score at 62-62. The Trailblazer grabbed a 65-62 edge as Yearsley sank a free-throw, but Fitchburg got a layup from Allen to trim the lead to just one (65-64). MCLA would secure the victory however with Garcia hitting one-of-two from the charity stripe, resulting in the 66-64 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Joyner with a career best 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal
• Sophomore Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla.) added nine points, seven caroms, one assist and one steal    
• For the Trailblazers, Garcia finished with a team-leading 14 points, eight boards, five assists and one steal      
• Greenland chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds and one steal
• 112th between the Trailblazers and Falcons on the Hardwood with Fitchburg State 51-61 all-time when taking on MCLA
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-57 (42.1%) from the field and (5-of-15) 33.3% from three point range
• MCLA finished 22-of-68 (32.4%) overall and (11-for-19) 37.9% for beyond the arc
• Both teams finished with 47 boards on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they host the Rams of Framingham State in MASCAC action, starting at 12:00PM.