WORCESTER, Mass. - Sophomore Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) led the scoring attack for the Worcester State University men's basketball team with 22 points, but it would not be enough as the Lancers fell to the Fitchburg State University Falcons 80-76 Saturday afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at John P. Brissette Court.
With the loss, the Lancers move to 11-12, and 4-6 in MASCAC competition. Fitchburg improves to 11-12 overall, and 6-4 in the MASCAC.
Junior guard Cal Howes (Maynard, Mass.) began the Lancers' offensive attack with a couple of 3-pointers. He would continue his hot start by sinking yet another three with an and-1 midway through the half. Frantz Francois (Boston, Mass.) then followed with a steal and fast break layup of his own to put the Lancers ahead 20-17. For the Falcons, Tayjaun McKenzie (Lynn, Mass.) would go 3-3 from three in the first half.
Devan Harris (Danvers, Mass.) led the way for the Falcons with 15 points. However, seven Lancer turnovers kept them from extending their lead, as the Falcons went into the half ahead 32-30.
As the second half got underway, the Lancers found themselves trailing early. They would battle back with Cardoso hitting a jumper as he was fouled. He would then sink the free throw, providing a spark for the Lancer offense. That would cut Fitchburg's lead to one. However, The Falcons would answer with two more jumpers by Nicholas Tracy (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Andre Ruff (Chicago, Ill.).
Cardoso then nailed a three pointer from the corner, making the score 42-40 in favor of the Falcons. The teams would go back and forth with the Lancers taking their first lead of the second half on a Emeka Egwuatu (Worcester, Mass.) layup to make it 49-48 with 12:02 to go. With 5:37 to play, Egwuatu slammed home a put-back dunk to put the Lancers up 64-62. However, with 4:23 to go, Harris sank the go-ahead 3 to put the Falcons up 69-67. The Falcons would not look back as they would hold on to secure the victory.
Four Lancers scored in double figures, including Cardoso with 22 points, Howes with 18, Francois with 14, and Egwuatu with 10. For the Falcons, Harris lead all scorers with 25 points. Tracy and McKenzie would each tally 15 and 12 points respectively.
The Lancers are back in action Wednesday night as they host the Bridgewater State Bears at 5:30 p.m.
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