Falcons Fly Past Spartans in Non-Conference Action

Castleton, Vt. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team defeated the Spartans of Castleton University, 74-55 this evening in non-conference action from the Glenbrook Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 74, Castleton 55

Fitchburg State (4-6, 0-0 MASCAC) I Castleton (3-6, 0-1 LEC)

How It Happened

1st half

Fitchburg State opened the contest with a 10-4 lead as sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) and junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) knocked down three-pointers, while junior Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) added a jumper.

The Green and Gold extended the lead (31-8), going on an 18-0 run as Saiyor and junior Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass.) combined for five three balls before the Spartans answered with a bucket from sophomore Brandon Cahill (Red Hook, N.Y.) to trim the deficit to 33-11.

Castleton continued to chip away at the lead as freshman Will Radcliff (Clifton Park, N.Y.) notched a layup and Cahill sank a pair from the charity stripe, but senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) drained a three-pointer for the Falcons to make the score 47-27 going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Castleton continued to battle with Radcliff and newcomer Carter Mackey (West Oneonta, N.Y.) registering baskets to make the score 50-34, but Fitchburg State countered as freshman Joshua Okoroji-Schaeffer (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) connected on a three ball to put the visitors up 55-37.

Graduate student Tray Wright (Baltimore, Md.) and sophomore Alex Blackmore (Wellington, New Zealand) netted a jumper and three-pointer for the Spartans to make the score  62-47 before the Falcons pushed the lead to 65-49 on a Joyner bucket.

Castleton answered back as Cahill connected on a jumper, but the Green and Gold secured the victory when J. Taylor drilled another three ball, resulting in the 74-55 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Siayor with a game-best 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals
• Joyner added 16 points, four caroms and five assists
• For the Spartans, Wright finished with a team-leading 12 points, six boards and one assist
• Cahill chipped in with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal
• 13th meeting between the two schools on the hardwood with the Falcons 9-4 all-time when taking on the Spartans
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-62 (38.7%) from the field and (14-of-27) 51.9% from three point range
• Castleton finished 22-of-55 (40.0%) overall and (2-for-15) 13.3% for beyond the arc
• Spartans held a narrow 42-40 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Thursday, December 29th as they take on the Tigers of Whittenberg University in opening round action of the 2022 Nashville Classic, starting at 9:30 PM.