Fitchburg State Falls To Framingham State, 78-72

Knower's leads all-scorers with a game-high 18 points in MASCAC opener

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 10, 2009) - Sophomore Elliot Knower (Templeton, Mass./Narragansett) netted game-high 18 points as Fitchburg State fell to Framingham State, 78-72 in MASCAC action this afternoon.

ELLIOT KNOWER

Knower paced the Falcons attack, hitting 8-of-18 shots, including 1-of-1 from beyond the arc. The sophomore power-forward was also solid on the boards, bringing in six rebounds. Junior Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) turned in a solid performance with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, while senior Jeffrey Kozik (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to go with nine points and six assists.

Juniors Chad Dixon (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) and Darius Yarrell (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) led the Framingham State offensive attack with 16 points apiece, while classmate Davis Saltmarsh (Bow, N.H./Bow) added 14 points and eight rebounds. Junior Roderick Jackson (Cambridge, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) chipped in with 13 points and five caroms.

Framingham State tallied a 33-28 at the end of one half as Dixon and junior Bill Carey (Abington, Mass./Abington) combined for 14 points in the frame. The Rams posted a 16 point lead with a 19-6 run midway through the period, but Fitchburg State rallied back with a 14-5 surge to cut the deficit to five by the break.

In the second half, the score witnessed four lead changes as Fitchburg State came out gunning with a 17-4 surge led by senior Brian Skiffington's (North Adams, Mass./Hoosac Valley) five points in the opening minute. The Falcons' lead grew to as much as eight throughout the half, but Framingham State responded with a 17-6 drive over a 5:48 span to gain a 66-59 advantage. The Rams closed out the half with key free-throws by Jackson to secure their ninth victory of the season.        

Fitchburg State (5-6, 0-1 MASCAC) will be in action again on next Saturday as it travels to Bridgewater State College at 3 p.m. Framingham State (9-5, 1-0 MASCAC) will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

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Framingham State 78, Fitchburg State 72