Worcester State 58, Fitchburg State 57
Fitchburg, MA --- Senior Colin London (Worcester, MA) registered
a game-high 18 points but Fitchburg State fell to conference rival,
Worcester State college, 58-57 in MASCAC action this evening.
In true nail-biter fashion, Worcester State earned its third
conference victory of the season, holding off a last minute surge
by Fitchburg State and overcoming a six point deficit in the
process. Trailing by one (55-54) with 1:07 remaining in regulation,
Worcester State grabbed its fourth lead of the half as Ryan
Testagrossa (Athol, MA) converted a pair of free-throws
following a Fitchburg State foul.
Worcester Stated added to its lead as Jamaal
Atkins’ (Webster, MA) lay-up gave the Lancers a
three-point margin at the 0:15 mark, but junior Robert Hopkins
(East Hartford, CT) answered immediately for the Falcons, racing
down the floor for a successful lay-up in only four seconds.
After a strong defensive stand by the Falcons which caused a
turnover on their own end, Fitchburg State created a pair of
game-winning opportunities over the final ten seconds. Hopkins
tried to seal the deal for Fitchburg State with a drive to the
basket, but it was blocked by senior Pat Hamilton
(Templeton, MA) before senior Tim Graham’s (Arlington, MA)
jumper fell short at the buzzer.
Worcester State held a slim, one-point lead at the break which
proved to the deciding factor as both teams battled with 13 ties
and 13 lead changes in the contest. The largest lead in the game
was Fitchburg State, who held a seven point edge in the early
goings of the contest.
The Lancers controlled the boards with a 43-31 advantage on the
glass, while posting a 72% to 44% advantage at the free-throw
line.
London led all scorers with his game-high 18 points, shooting
7-of-14 from the field with seven boards and two assists. Hopkins
was also strong for the Falcons with nine points and two steals,
while Graham netted eight points from the post.
Testagrossa paced the Worcester State attack with a team-best 16
points on a 9-for-16 line from the free throw line, four steals and
four assists as the junior guard connected on 9-of-11 from the
charity stripe. Atkins added his second double-double of the season
for the Lancers with 12 points and 11 caroms, while freshman
Tim Henault (Lunenburg, MA) rounded out the
scoring with 11 points and three steals.
Fitchburg State (4-11, 0-3 MASCAC) will be in action again on
Thursday as it travels to Salem State at 8 PM Worcester State (9-7,
3-1 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Thursday at 8 PM.
Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information