Men's Basketball Falls To Vikings In MASCAC Action

Salem, MA – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped an 81-71 decision to the Vikings of Salem State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Twohig Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 71, Salem State 81

Fitchburg State (2-16, 0-5 MASCAC) I Salem State (9-7, 3-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

1st half

Salem State opened the contest with a 9-2 edge on a bucket from freshman Nicholas Martinez (Revere, MA) before Fitchburg State answered with free-throws by junior Frederick Siayor (Worcester, MA) and freshman Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) as well as jumper from newcomer Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) to make the score 13-8.

The Falcons grabbed a 20-19 advantage on baskets from freshmen Tryston Ofoh (Baltimore, MD) and Donald Brown Jr (Baltimore, MD), but the Vikings regained the lead (23-22) as newcomer Omri Merryman (Lynn, MA) sank a pair from the charity stripe. The visitors would push the lead to 28-23 though with Franks draining a three-ball before Salem State battled back to take a 30-29 edge as junior Michael Makiej (Andover, MA) connected on a jumper. Fitchburg State regained the lead however when Siayor netted a layup just before the break to make the score 31-30.

2nd Half

Following the intermission, Salem State grabbed the lead back (36-31) with Makiej hitting a layup before Fitchburg State countered with buckets by senior Javon Taylor (Cambridge, MA) and Brown Jr to cut the lead to 36-35. Trailing 40-35, the Falcons reduced the lead to 40-39 as Brown Jr and notched back-to-back layups, but the Vikings upped the lead to 44-39 on a Nelson Obarisiagbon (Lynn, MA) jumper.

The Green and Gold knotted the score at 44-44 as Franks hit two free-throws, but the hosts regained the lead (53-46) as Makiej notched a layup. Fitchburg State battled to trim the lead to 55-51 on a free-throw by newcomer Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, MA) before Salem State extended the margin to 61-55 on a Makiej layup. The Green and Gold answered back when Jean Charles netted a layup to make the score 61-58, but the Vikings would secure the victory as Martinez and Makiej hit baskets, resulting in the 81-71 final.

Inside the Numbers                                                                                                 

• Falcons were led Jean Charles with a team-best 21 points, four rebounds, one steal and four blocks
• Brown Jr added 14 points, four boards, one assist and two steals
• For the Vikings, senior Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, MA) finished with a game-leading 22 points, one carom, three assists and two steals
• Martinez chipped in with 22 points, ten rebounds, two assists and one steal
• 110th meeting between Fitchburg State and Salem State on the hardwood with the Falcons 19-91 all-time when taking on the Vikings
• Fitchburg State shot 28-for-59 (47.5%) from the field and (3-of-9) 33.3% from three-point range
• Salem State finished 32-of-64 (50.0%) overall and (5-for-17) 29.4% for beyond the arc
• Vikings held a 35-32 advantage on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Rams of Framingham State in MASCAC action with a 7:00PM tipoff.

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