Men's Basketball Stuns Vikings In MASCAC Clash

Jackson finishes with game-best 28 points for Green & Gold

Fitchburg MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team earned an 80-79 victory over the Vikings of Salem State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 80, Salem State 79

Records: Fitchburg State (7-8, 1-3 MASCAC) | Salem State (9-6, 2-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

First Half

Fitchburg State took a 10-5 edge as junior Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) hit a layup and classmate Matthew Drayton (Roxbury, MA) added two free throws before Salem State answered with a three-ball by sophomore AJ Barry (Lynn, MA) to make the score 10-8.

The Vikings cut the deficit to 15-14 when senior Tyrese Rho (Boston, MA) registered a layup, but the Falcons responded as Jackson connected on a layup for the 28-25 advantage. Salem State grabbed a 32-28 edge with newcomer Jamel Walker (Worcester, MA) sinking two from the charity stripe.

The Green and Gold regained the lead (33-32) as senior Nicolas Von Zboray (Sacramento, CA) hit a pair of free throws before the visitors answered back when Rho registered a layup for the 36-33 margin. The hosts would take a 41-40 lead int the break however as Jackson hit a layup and Drayton and junior Takoma Rosario (Vista, CA) drained three-balls.

Second Half

Following the intermission, Salem State took a 48-42 edge as freshman Raheim Orleans (Attleboro, MA) before Fitchburg State answered back when Jackson notched a layup and Drayton connected on a three pointer for the 53-51 lead.

The Vikings regained the lead at 64-60 when Rho connected on a layup, but the Falcons knotted the score at 64-64 as Jackson and junior Xavier Smaltz (Allentown, PA) sank two free throws each.

Salem State grabbed a 74-69 advantage with Walker registering a bucket and a three pointer from junior Omri Merrymen (Lynn, MA) before the Green and Gold took the lead back for good when Jackson notched a layup and Rosario buried a three-ball, resulting in the 80-79 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson led the way for the Falcons with a game-best 28 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one block
• Drayton added 17 points and one assist for the Green and Gold
• For the Vikings, Barry finished with a team-leading 22 points, eight assists, five assists and three steals
• Annan Orleans chipped in with 16 points, eight caroms and one steal
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-54 (46.3%) from the field and (10-of-20) 50.0% from three point range
• Salem State finished 30-of-66 (45.5%) overall and (8-for-21) 38.1% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons held a narrow 36-35 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as the travel to Anna Maria to take on the AMCATS in MASCAC action, starting at 7:00PM.

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