Falcons Earn First Victory On The Season

Providence, R.I. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Anchormen of Rhode Island College, 58-48 this evening in non-conference action from the Murray Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 58, Rhode Island College 48

Fitchburg State (1-4, 0-0 MASCAC) I Rhode Island College (1-3, 0-0 LEC)

How It Happened

1st half

Fitchburg State grabbed an early 6-2 edge on a pair of buckets from junior Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) and a Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) layup before Rhode Island College knotted the score at 6-6 with junior Ousmane Kourouma (Woonsocket, R.I.) and freshman Anthony Rivera (Staten Island, N.Y.) notching jumpers.

The Falcons extended the lead to 21-15, going on a 9-2 run with junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) netting two basket and a three ball by senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.), but the Anchormen answered back with a layup from Kourouma to cut the deficit to 21-17.

The hosts battled back to trim the lead to 25-24 as Rivera drained a three-pointer and senior Shion Darby (Peeksill, N.Y.) added a driving layup before the Green and Gold took a slim 29-28 margin into the break on a layup from junior Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass.).

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Rhode Island College regained the lead (34-32) as Darby connected on a layup, but Fitchburg State responded with an 11-0 streak with Semedo and Allen leading the way with two buckets each to make the score 46-36.

The visitors upped the margin to 50-38 with sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) and Q. Taylor collecting jumpers, but the Koumoura and newcomer Victor Olivera-Rodriguez (Pawtucket, R.I.) connected on buckets for the Anchormen to trim the deficit to 50-43.

Trailing 56-44, Rivera hit a three-pointer from the right elbow to make the score 56-47, but the Green and Gold secured the victory as Siayor hit two free-throws, resulting in the 58-48 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Siayor with a game-best 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and five steals
• Q. Taylor added a double-double of 11 points and 17 caroms as well as one steal
• For the Anchormen, Kourouma finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 boards to go along with seven blocks and three steals
• Darby chipped in ten points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal
• 32nd meeting between the two schools on the hardwood with the Falcons 7-25 all-time when taking on the Anchormen
• Fitchburg State shot 21-for-64 (32.8%) from the field and (3-of-8) 37.5%% from three point range
• Rhode Island College finished 21-of-66 (31.8%) overall and (2-for-16) 12.5% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 56-40 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Friday as they host the Bengals of UMaine Fort Kent in non-conference action, starting at 6:00 PM.