Falcons Edged By Wolves In Non-Conference Bout

Danbury, Conn. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team suffered a tough 73-72 setback to the Wolves of Western Connecticut State this evening in first round action of the 2022-23 Wolves Classic from the O'Neill Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 72, Western Conn State 73

Fitchburg State (0-3, 0-0 MASCAC) I Western Connecticut State 1-0, 0-0 LEC)

How It Happened

1st half

Western Connecticut State opened the contest with a 6-2 edge on a three pointer from graduate student Jordan Brown (Danbury, Conn.) before Fitchburg State answered with a three ball by sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) to make the score 12-9.

The Falcons knotted the score at 16-16 with Siayor and junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) notching buckets, but the Wolves pushed the lead to 26-19 with graduate student Solomon Silas (Danbury, Conn.) and senior Jaheim Young (Brooklyn, N.Y.) posting jumpers.

The hosts pushed the advantage to 32-28 late in the first half as senior Kendall Robinson (East Patchogue, N.Y.) buried a three-pointer before the Green and Gold retied the contest at 32 all with senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) connecting on a three ball and a Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) free-throw.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Western Connecticut State took a 38-34 margin on a jumper from Brown before Fitchburg State responded with a Siayor three pointer (38-37), The two teams proceeded to trade baskets over the next minute.

The Falcons grabbed its first lead on the evening with Siayor knocking down another three ball to put the visitors up 43-42, but the Wolves went on a 12-0 run, capped by a layup from sophomore Keeshawn Jones (Middletown, Conn.) for the 54-43 lead.

Fitchburg State rallied again, cut the deficit to 56-53 with Siayor registering a jumper with just under seven minutes remaining in the contest, but newcomer Jaeden Carr (Ossining, N.Y.) sank a pair form the charity stripe to upper the hosts lead to 68-61.

Down the stretch, Western Connecticut State went up by four 71-67 on a Robinson layup before the Falcons answered with a Taylor bucket (71-69). Robinson would drive home a dunk for the hosts, but Joyner drilled a three ball for the Green and Gold at the buzzer, but Western Connecticut State held on for the 73-72 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Siayor with a game-best 33 points, four rebounds and four steals
• Joyner added 17 points, four caroms, six assists and one steal
• For the Wolves, Robinson finished with a team-leading 23 points, 11 boards, one assist, one steal and two blocks
• Jones chipped in with nine points, one rebound, three assists and two steals.
• First ever meeting between the Wolves and the Falcons on the hardwood
• Fitchburg State shot 26-for-63 (41.3%) from the field and (11-of-27) 40.7%% from three point range
• Western Connecticut State finished 24-of-61 (39.3%) overall and (5-for-19) 26.3% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 48-40 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they take on either Lehman or Springfield College in the consolation game of the 2022-23 Wolves Classic, hosted by Western Connecticut State, starting at 1:00 PM.