Anna Maria Holds Off Fitchburg State, 78-74

Graham posts strong double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds

PAXTON, Mass. (January 5, 2010) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team suffered a tough non-conference setback as Anna Maria College edged the Falcons, 78-74 at The Fuller Activities Center this evening.

TIM GRAHAM

The Falcons led by as many as eight in the first half, but AMC closed the half strong, getting a three-pointer from point guard Junior De La Hoz (Lawrence, Mass.) with six seconds remaining in the period to go into the locker room with a 38-37 advantage.

Fitchburg senior Timothy Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) led all players with ten points and seven rebounds during the half, hitting 4-of-6 from the floor. The AMCATS were able to capitalize off of 16 Falcon turnovers, outscoring Fitchburg State 19-4 in points off of turnovers.

In the second half, the AMCATS opened with a 9-0 run, getting a three from De La Hoz and two jumpers by junior Derek Johnson (Worcester, Mass.). Anna Maria eventually built a comfortable 13-point lead with just nine minutes remaining in the half after junior Chris Pinsonault (Marlboro, Mass.) drained a three.

Fitchburg State continued to fight back as senior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) scored five points in under 20 seconds to bring Fitchburg back within three at the six minute mark. But, freshman Anthony Click (Springfield, Mass./Springfield) put the game away for AMC, hitting 7-7 free throws down the stretch to give the AMCATS the 78-74 win.

Click registered a strong second half for Anna Maria, shooting a perfect 5-5 from the field, 1-1 from downtown and 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. He finished the night with a game-high 26 points, while De La Hoz and Pinsonault each scored 12 for the AMCATS.

The Falcons were paced Timothy Graham who had a strong double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. London also had a near triple-double, adding 12 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the loss.

Fitchburg State (3-8, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Framingham State College at 3 p.m. Anna Maria (4-6, 0-0 TCCC) is back in action on Thursday as it hosts Wheelock College at 7:30 p.m.

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Anna Maria 78, Fitchburg State 74