Falcons Sail Past Vikings in MASCAC Clash

Fitchburg, Mass.  – The Fitchburg State men's basketball notched a 65-55 victory over the Vikings of Salem State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Wednesday evening at Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 65, Salem State 55
Records: Fitchburg State (9-12, 4-5 MASCAC) | Salem State (6-17, 3-7 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Salem State jumped out to a 6-2 lead before the Falcons got on track with four points from Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) and back-to-back jumpers from Frederic Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) to hold a 13-10 advantage. Salem retook the lead (18-17) with a layup from Sean Richter (Montague, Mass.) at 6:33. Knotted at 21-21 Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) had a steal and a layup to push the Falcons ahead. The teams traded baskets at the end of the half to even the score at 25-25 at halftime.

It was a back-and-forth beginning to the second half. A jumper and a layup from Conner Byrne (Melrose, Mass.)  gave the Vikings a 33-31 advantage, but the Falcons soared to 39-37 with a bucket in the paint from Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.). Knotted at 41-41, Conner Byrne scored five straight to push the Viking to a 46-41 lead midway through the frame.

The Falcons countered with a 13-0 run, including a three-point play from Javon Taylor and five points from Siayor to take the lead for good (54-46). A jumper from Jarret Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) and a trey from Juvens Louis (Everett, Mass.) cut the Salem State deficit to 54-51 with three minutes to play. Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla) and Siayor hit crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Siayor paced the Falcons with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, while Quincy Taylor added 13 points and 9 rebounds.
• For the Vikings, Conner Byrne had a game-high 17 points and 16 rebounds. Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) added 14 points.
• Fitchburg State shot 26-for-63 (41.3%) from the field and (3-for-16) 18.8% from three-point range
• Salem State finished 22-for-64 (34.4%) overall and (1-for-13) 7.7% for beyond the arc
• The Falcons held a 33-30 advantage on the boards

Up Next

The Falcons return to action on Saturday when they travel to Worcester State to take on the Lancers in a MASCAC match-up starting at noon.