Falcons Clipped By Vikings In Conference Action

Salem, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Men's Basketball team dropped a 67-62 decision to the Vikings of Salem State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Twohig Gymnasium.

Score: Fitchburg State 62, Salem State 67

Fitchburg State (7-7, 2-1 MASCAC), Salem State (4-13,1-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Salem State raced out an early 15-0 lead as senior Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) led the way five points before Fitchburg State answered with a three ball by sophomore Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla.) to make the score 15-3.

The Vikings extended the advantage to 20-9 with newcomer Burke Kennedy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hitting a three-pointer, but the Falcons trimmed the deficit to 22-16 on a Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) jumper and a pair of free-throws from senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.).

The Green and Gold battled back to cut the lead to 30-27 as sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) notched a bucket, while Joyner added a three point play before Salem State closed out the half with a Kennedy layup for the 37-32 margin going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Salem State pushed the lead to 45-34 with Kennedy netting a layup, but Fitchburg State answered back as senior Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) registered a bucket (45-36).

The Falcons answered when Siayor buried a three-ball and senior Mikal Garcia (Fresno, Tex.) added a layup before the Vikings upped the margin to 56-39 on a Wil Martinez (Revere, Mass.) jumper.

The Green and Gold went on a 9-0 as Tanis, Taylor, Joyner and Garcia registered baskets to reduce the lead to 62-58, but Salem State's Conor Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) connected on one-of-two free-throws. Fitchburg State responded again when Tanis notched a jumper before senior Jarret Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) sank a pair from the charity stripe, resulting in the 67-62 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Tanis with a team-best 14 points, five caroms, two steals, two assists and one block
• Siayor added 13 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal and three blocks         
• For the Vikings, senior Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) finished with a game-leading 17 points, two boards, three assists, four steals and one block      
• Byrne chipped in with 13 points, eight caroms and one block
• 108th meeting between the Vikings and Falcons on the Hardwood with Fitchburg State 17-91 all-time when taking on Salem State
• Fitchburg State shot 25-for-67 (37.3%) from the field and (6-of-24) 25.0% from three point range
• Salem State finished 25-of-54 (38.9%) overall and (4-for-17) 23.5% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a slim 46-44 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Lancers of Worcester State in MASCAC action, starting at 5:00PM.