Falcons Drop MASCAC Tilt to MCLA

Fitchburg, Mass.  – The Fitchburg State University men's basketball team fell to the Trailblazers of MCLA 74-64 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 64, MCLA 74
Records: Fitchburg State (4-14, 2-5 MASCAC), MCLA (7-10, 2-4 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State grabbed a 7-5 advantage to start the contest on a layup by sophomore Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) and a free-throw from classmate Nathaniel Semedo (Bridgewater, Mass.) before MCLA went on a 12-6 run as junior Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, Mass.) connected on a three-pointer for the 18-13 lead.

The Green and Gold responded with lay-ups from Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) and Darian Norwood (San Diego, Calif.) to cut the deficit to 21-19, but the Trailblazers extended their margin (29-27) on a three-point shot from Hayden Bird (North Adams, Mass.). Sophomore Trevian Hinson (Tampa, Fla.) hit a pair of jumpers to close out the half propelling the Falcons to a 33-31 lead.

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State continued to battle as Mikal Garcia (Fresno, Tex.) and Allen hit buckets to extend the Falcon lead (38-31), MCLA's Dylan Gray-Morris (Port Jefferson Station, NY) knocked down a three-pointer to keep it close.  The Falcons kept the pressure on and maintained a seven-point advantage (48-41) with a layup from Tajahn Joyner (Hadley, Mass.).

MCLA battled back with a 13-5 run, capped by a three-pointer from Bird to take the second-half lead (54-53) midway through the frame. Allen countered with a jumper to give the Green and Gold the lead (55-54), but Bird connected on a pair of three-pointers to push the Trailblazers to a ten-point lead (67-57).

The Falcons answered back with a Quincy Taylor jumper and a pair from the charity stripe for Joyner before the Trailblazers secured the win as Reece Racette (North Adams, Mass.) hit a three, sealing the 74-64 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were led by Allen with a double-double, 12 points, and 19 rebounds
• Quincy Taylor chipped in with 9 points, 7 caroms, 2 steals, and 2 blocks
• Gittens finished with a game-high 26 points, 7 boards, and 3 assists for the Trailblazers
• Fitchburg State shot 27-for-59 (45.8%) from the field and (1-for-4) 25% from three-point range
• MCLA finished 27-of-64 (42.2%) overall and (14-for-28) 50% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a slim 40-37 margin on the glass

Up Next

• Falcons will travel to Framingham State to take on the Rams on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM