Fisher Shoots Past Fitchburg State, 97-77

Graham leads Falcons with team-best 20 points en route to second double-double

BOSTON, Mass. (December 8, 2009) - The Fitchburg State men's basketball team ended its three-game winning streak as Fisher College topped the Falcons 97-77 in non-conference action this evening.

Senior captain Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) led Fitchburg State offensively with his second double-double of the season. The veteran center notched a team-high 20 points while adding a team-best 11 rebounds. Classmate Jonathan Evans (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) was also solid with 11 points in the contest, while freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) added nine points and four boards.

On the Fisher offensive end, junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, Wash.) led the Falcons, posting a game-high 24 points. Pursell was on fire from the floor, shooting game-high 10-of-15 (.667 pct), including 3-of-7 from long range. Classmate Christian Hammond (Seattle, Wash.) also turned in a solid shooting night, leading the Fisher three-point barrage with 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Fisher used a 52.0% shooting attack, including 9-of-23 from three point range to post its fifth consecutive victory. The Falcons exploded for 58 points in the first frame, stretching out to a 24 point lead at the break, while registering a 39 point effort in the second half to clinch their eight victory of the season. Fitchburg State stood strong, outscoring the Falcons by four in the second half, but Fisher's sure-fire shooting proved to be too much as Fitchburg could not pass the 20 point plateau.

Fitchburg State (3-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Thursday as it hosts Mount Ida at 5:30 p.m. Fisher (8-1, 0-0 NAIA) will travel to Rochester Institute of Technology on Saturday at 8 p.m.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY TO FOLLOW

Fisher 97, Fitchburg State 77