Falcons Rally Late To Defeat Rams

Framingham, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Men's Basketball team defeated the Rams of Framingham State, 64-63 this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Athletics and Recreation Center.      

Score: Fitchburg State 64, Framingham State 63

Fitchburg State (7-6, 2-0 MASCAC), Framingham State (4-12, 1-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Framingham State grabbed a 6-2 edge to open the contest on buckets from junior Jahden Erold (Boston, Mass.) and graduate student Juran Ligonde (Dedham, Mass.), Fitchburg State answered with a three pointer from sophomore Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) to trim the lead to 6-5.

The Green and Gold battled back to knot the score at 14-14 as sophomore Matthew Tanis (Hialeah, Fla.) registered a layup. The two teams would trade buckets for a few minutes before The Falcons took a 22-18 advantage with junior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) and senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) notching baskets.

The back and forth affair continue as the two teams traded leads over the final five minutes of the first half before the Rams closed out the frame on a 6-3 run to claim a 32-29 margin going into the break.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Fitchburg State went on a 9-0 stretch as Allen, Siayor and senior Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.) connected on buckets for the 38-32 lead. Framingham State responded with a 15-0 run, capped by a three ball from sophomore JD Okafor (Boston, Mass.) for the 52-40 edge.

The Falcons answered back though with senior Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.), J. Tayor and Siayor netting layups, while Joyner added a pair from the charity stripe to reduce the lead to 52-49, The Green and Gold continued the rally as freshman Tyrone Manderson (Saugus, Mass.) threw down a dunk, but the Rams halted the momentum when Okafor sank two free throws to put the host up 54-51.

Fitchburg State would eventually retie the contest (54-54) on a pair of free-throws by Joyner before Framingham State hit four straight from the charity stripe for the 58-54 margin. Joyner notched an and one to cut the deficit to 63-62 before the Falcons completed the comeback as Tanis sank both of his free throws with under a second left in the contest for the 64-63 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Falcons were paced by Siayor with a team-leading 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal
• Joyner added 14 points, six caroms, one assist and two steals         
• For the Rams, Okafor finished with a game-best 20 points, six boards and one block      
• Jones Ligonde chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds
• 94th meeting between the Rams and Falcons on the Hardwood with Fitchburg State 41-53 all-time when taking on Framingham State
• Fitchburg State shot 24-for-67 (35.8%) from the field and (2-of-19) 10.5% from three point range
• Framingham State finished 21-of-54 (38.9%) overall and (4-for-17) 23.5% for beyond the arc
• Falcons held a 44-39 margin on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Salem State to take on the Vikings in MASCAC action, starting at 12:00 PM.