Falcons Edge Terriers, 93-87 In Overtime

Amherst, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Terriers of Thomas College, 83-87 in overtime this evening in opening round action of the 2019 Ken Wright Invitational, hosted by Amherst College.

 The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 93, Thomas 87
Records: Fitchburg State (4-1) I Thomas (2-1)

How It Happened

1st half

Thomas grabbed a 4-2 edge on a jumper from junior Lovegeurson Fleurine (Fort Pierce, Fla.) before Fitchburg State went on a 7-0 run, capped by a Devon Johnson (Washington, D.C.) layup for the 9-4 lead.

The Terriers answered back with a 12-0 stretch to take a 16-10 advantage, led by junior Tyler Nixon (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) with five points over the run. The Falcons responded when senior Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) connected on a jumper for the 18-17 margin.

The Green and Gold upped their margin to 42-31 going into the break, closing out the frame on a 9-3 run as senior Jordan Jones (Worcester, Mass.), Tracy, freshman Xavier Betancourt (Tampa, Fla.) and sophomore Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) all netted buckets for Fitchburg State.

2nd half

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State extended its advantage (61-44) on a Betancourt three-ball, but Thomas chipped the lead to 63-52 on a pair of free throws by Fleurine. The Falcons answered back with senior Charles Doss (Fitchburg, Mass.) notching a layup to make the score 65-52.

The Terriers cut the deficit to 71-61 on a layup from sophomore Jordan Goodson (Orlando, Fla.), but Jones hit a jumper for the Falcons to push the lead to 73-61. Thomas battled back, knotting the score at 75-75 on layup by Goodson with two second left in regulation to force overtime.

Overtime

In the overtime, Fitchburg State broke a 77-77 tie when sophomore Dominik Williams (Lynn, Mass.) drained a three ball for the 80-77 edge. Senior Zach McKinnon (Kennebunk, Maine) hit a jumper for Thomas to cut the lead to 80-79, but Johnson and Williams sank two free throws each down the stretch for the Green and Gold, resulting in the 93-87 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Jones with a career high 25 points and ten rebounds
• Tracy chipped in with 24 points, 13 caroms, three assists and three steals for Fitchburg State
• Goodson finished with a team-best 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Terriers
• Nixon added 16 points and seven boards for Thomas College
• Second meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 2-0 all-time vs the Terriers
• Fitchburg State shot 34-for-72 (47.2%) from the field and (3-of-13) 23.1% from three point range
• Thomas finished 30-of-74 (35.7%) overall and (10-for-28) 35.7% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 51-45 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they take on the Mammoths of Amherst College in the Championships game of the 2019 Ken Wright Invitational at 3:00 PM. Terriers will battle the Eagles of Elmira College tomorrow in the consolation game of the 2019 Ken Wright Invitational, hosted by Amherst College at 1:00 PM.