Falcons Fall to MIT in Non-Conference Action

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team fell 80-75 to the visiting Engineers of MIT in a non-conference match-up today at Parkinson gymnasium. 

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 75, MIT 80
Records: Fitchburg State (5-5) | MIT (6-3)

How It Happened

Knotted at 8-8 at the 15:34 mark of the first half when the Falcons got hot and rolled off a 15-2 run with seven points from sophomore Devon Johnson (Washington, DC) capped by an impressive three-point play from senior Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) to push the Falcon advantage to 23-10. The Engineers chipped away at the lead and cut the deficit to 25-21 with an unanswered eight point streak. Senior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) countered with a rare four-point play to extend the Falcons score (29-21).  Trailing 33-32 with 3:19 to play the Engineers outscored the Falcons 5-2 including a layup from sophomore Dan Pilsbury (Millington, NJ) to take a 37-35 lead into intermission.

In the second half MIT took a nine point advantage when junior Ian Hinkley (Raleigh, NC) drained a trey from the corner. However the Falcons battled back to even the score (54-54) on a 6-0 run highlighted by a Dominik Williams (Newark, NJ) deep three-pointer with 7:55 to play.

Freshman Kael Kordonowy's (Wichita, Kan.) jumper gave MIT a 63-59 lead but a steal and bucket from D. Johnson put the Falcons up by one (64-63) with under four minutes to play. The teams were even once again (73-73) when Doss came up with a big steal and a dunk with 37 ticks on the clock. The Engineers sealed the win (80-75) with a three point play from Pilsbury.

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State had four players in double figures. Tracy had a team-best 16 points and seven rebounds, while Doss had 15 points and seven caroms. Williams and Johnson chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
• The Engineers were paced by Hinkley's game-high 29 points and four caroms, while Kordonowy finished with the games only double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds.
• Fitchburg State went 26-for-66 (39.4%) overall and (6-for-18) 33.3% from three point range.
• MIT shot 31-for-54 (57.4%) from the field and (9-of-24) 37.5% from beyond the arc.
• The Engineers held a 36-35 edge on the glass.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will travel to the Spartans of Castleton State on Tuesday evening for a non-conference tilt starting at 7:00 PM. MIT will next play Monday night when they host Rhode Island College at 7:00 PM.