Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior center Timothy Graham (Arlington) had game highs of 25 points and nine rebounds to lift Fitchburg State to a 70-66 victory over Westfield State on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
The Falcons improved to 6-12 overall and 2-4 in the MASCAC. Westfield is 8-11 and 2-4.
There were 12 ties in the closely contested game before Fitchburg begin pulling way midway thru the second half. The Falcons went on a 9-0 run to take a 55-46 lead with 9:32 remaining. Graham (5 points) and Robert Hopkins (4 points) sparked the scoring spurt.
Fitchburg took its biggest lead, 62-50, two minutes later, but Westfield mounted a comeback, pulling to within three points, 64-61, with 2:28 remaining. Graham, who scored 19 of his points in the second half, then canned two free throws with 1:15 remaining to for a 66-61 advantage.
Also scoring in double figures for the Falcons were Hopkins and Blake Sheldon with 10 points apiece. Colin London contributed eight points and eight boards.
The visitors (23-for-35) out-shot the Owls (13-for-18) from the foul line. Also, Westfield was only 5-for-25 from 3-point range and shot 35 percent from the field. The Owls led at halftime, 27-26.
Nate Pollard led Westfield’s balanced attack with 16 points and Joe Dicruttallo played a fine all-around game with 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Lee Vazquez scored 13 points.
Westfield freshman center Matt Devine chipped in with 10 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots despite only playing 21 minutes because of foul trouble. Devine tied a school record with seven blocked shots in both of Westfield’s games last week.
Westfield guard Lee Vazquez challenges Fitchburg's Brad Girouard on a drive to the basket.