Falcons Top MIT in Non-Conference Action

Fitchburg, Mass.  – For the first time in eight meetings the Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Engineers of MIT 81-76 on Saturday afternoon at Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 81, MIT 76
Records: Fitchburg State (3-6) | MIT (2-6)

How It Happened

The Falcons grabbed an early 10-6 advantage as sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.)  drained a three-pointer before back-to-back buckets for MIT from Kade Killeen (Austin, TX) and Tim Minicozzi (Belmont, Mass.) gave the Engineers an 11-10 advantage. Fitchburg State forged ahead 26-23 with a three-point play from senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and a pair of layups from junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.).

MIT regained the lead (33-30) with a jumper from newcomer Parker Spann (Omaha, Neb.) but the Falcons knotted the game at 37-all with a basket from Joshua Okoroji-Scaeffer (Chesapeake Beach, MD). The teams traded field-goals down the stretch and a pair of free throws from Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) with one tick on the clock sent the teams to the locker room tied at 43-43.

Following the intermission, MIT regained the lead (45-43) on a layup from Spann before Fitchburg State took the lead back on an 8-1 run capped with a baseline jumper from Siayor. A deep ball from Spencer Lin (Menlo Park, Calif.) for MIT made it a one-point ball game (51-50). However, the Falcons notched nine unanswered points including a trey and a layup from Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass.) to extend the advantage to ten (62-52).

MIT chipped away with a pair from the charity stripe and a layup from Spann to cut the deficit to 64-61. With the score 69-68 Falcons, Allen grabbed a crucial rebound, tip-in, and foul to forget the Green and Gold ahead 72-69. The teams traded three's and Tajahn Joyner hit a baseline runner to keep the Falcons in front 77-73. A pair from the charity stripe for Siayor sealed the victory for the Falcons.

Inside the Numbers

• Siayor paced the Falcons with a career-high 36 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. Allen finished with a double-double 16 points, eleven boards, and two blocks.
• For MIT, Killeen led the way with a team-high 27 points, while Spann chipped in with 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
• The Engineers shot 26-for-62 (41.9%) from the field and (11-for-24) 45.8% from three-point range
• Fitchburg State finished 29-for-69 (42%) overall and (7-for-24) 29.2% for beyond the arc
• MIT held a 44-39 advantage on the boards
•  

Up Next

The Falcons return to action on Monday night when they travel to Castleton to face the Spartans at 7:00 PM.