Fifth Seeded Falcons Outlast Fourth Seeded Vikings

Salem, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Men's Basketball team got a buzzer beater from senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) as the Falcons defeated the Vikings of Salem State, 63-61 this evening in quarterfinal round action of the 2022-23 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men's Basketball Post-Season Tournament from the Twohig Gymnasium.

Score: Fitchburg State 63, Salem State 61

Fitchburg State (10-15, 4-8 MASCAC), Salem State (8-18, 5-7 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Salem State raced out to an early 6-1 advantage as senior Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) notched a jumper before Fitchburg State went on an 11-0 run with senior Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.), Joyner, sophomore Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla.) and junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) netting buckets.

The Falcons upped the lead to 16-8 as Q. Taylor registered a layup, but the Vikings responded with a 9-0 stretch, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore Juvens Louis (Everett, Mass.) to take an 18-16 edge.

The two teams traded buckets with roughly five minutes remaining in the half to knot the contest at 22-22 before the Green and Gold grabbed a 31-23 lead going into the break with senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and freshman Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) collecting layups.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Salem State trimmed the deficit to 31-27 as senior Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) buried a three-ball before Fitchburg State answered with a bucket by senior Mikal Garcia (Fresno, Tex.) (33-29).

The Vikings continued to rally though, taking a 36-35 edge on a Jarret Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) free throw, but the Falcons regained the lead (37-36) when Tanis converted a pair from the charity stripe. The teams would trade buckets as Tanis knocked down a three-pointer for the Green and Gold, while Castillo connected on a layup for the host to knot the score at 42-42.

Fitchburg State grabbed a 46-45 advantage as Allen hit a layup, but Salem State took the lead back on baskets from senior Conner Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) and Louis for the 55-50 margin. The Falcons rallied back to retie the contest at 61-61 before Joyner hit a running jumper at the buzzer to secure the 63-61 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Joyner with a game-leading 19 points, four rebounds, one assist and four steals
• Allen added a double-double of 14 points and 20 caroms as well as one assist, one steal and one block    
• For the Vikings, J. Byrne registered a team-best 17 points, 12 boards, two assists and one steal
• Castillo chipped in with 12 points, four assists and two steals
• 110^nd meeting between the Falcons and Vikings on the hardwood with Fitchburg State 19-91 all-time when taking on Salem State
• Fitchburg State shot 22-for-77 (28.6%) from the field and (2-of-19) 10.5% from three point range
• Salem State finished 22-of-63 (34.9%) overall and (3-for-10) 30.0% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons finished with a 55-44 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Thursday as they travel to the top seeded Lancers of Worcester State in semifinal round action of the 2022-23 MASCAC Men's Basketball Post-Season Tournament, starting at 6:00 PM.