Falcons Topped By Mariners In Non-Conference Action

New London, Conn. – The Fitchburg State University Men's Basketball team suffered an 85-66 setback to the Mariners of Mitchell College this evening in non-conference action from the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Score: Fitchburg State 66, Mitchell 85

Fitchburg State (8-12, 3-5 MASCAC), Mitchell (18-3, 4-0 NECC)

How It Happened

1st half

Mitchell opened the contest with a 5-2 edge as senior Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) hit a three pointer before Fitchburg State answered back with a three ball from senior Mikal Garcia (Fresno, Tex.) and a Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) layup for the 9-5 lead.

The Falcons extended the lead to 15-9 on buckets by seniors Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.), but the Mariners trimmed the deficit to 18-17 with senior Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) and freshman Bishop Taylor (Aberdeen, Md.) notching buckets.

The hosts battled back to knot the score at 24-24 following a pair of free-throws by senior Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) before the Green and Gold got a layup from Allen for the 24-22 edge. The two teams traded buckets for the next minutes, but Michell closed out the half on an 8-2 run for the 40-32 advantage going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Mitchell upped the advantage to 44-34 as senior Ahmani Browne (St. John's, Antigua), but Fitchburg State proceeded to go on a 9-3 run with Garcia, Taylor and freshman Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) hitting baskets to reduce the lead to 49-43.

Trailing 53-45, the Falcons got free-throws from Allen and sophomore Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla.) to cut the lead to 55-48 before the Mariners pushed the margin to 70-53 with Benson draining a three-pointer.

The Green and Gold answered back when junior Jaylen Swan (Belleville, N.J.) netted a layup and Manderson sank two from the charity stripe, but the hosts secured the victory with newcomer Adam Gardner (North Charleston, S.C) registering a basket, resulting in the 85-66 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Taylor with a team-best 14 points and six rebounds
• Allen added a double-double of 12 points and ten caroms as well as two assists    
• For the Mariners, Alfonso finished with a game-leading 22 points, seven boards, four assists, two steals and one block
• Mikey chipped in with 15 points, two rebounds, nine assists and three steals
• Second meeting between the Mariners and Falcons on the Hardwood with Fitchburg State 1-1 all-time when taking on Mitchell
• Fitchburg State shot 23-for-57 (40.4%) from the field and (2-of-11) 18.2% from three point range
• Mitchell finished 33-of-66 (50.0%) overall and (5-for-14) 35.7% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons finished with a slim 35-33 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Vikings of Salem State for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 5:00 PM.