Becker Tops Fitchburg State, 75-49

Muccioli leads Falcons with team-best 18 points in non-conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 23, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team played host to the Hawks of Becker College this afternoon, falling 75-49 in non-conference action at the Fitchburg State Recreation Center.

Junior David Maturah (Windsor Locks, Conn.) and senior Tyler Roberson (Irvington, N.J.) paved the way in the Becker victory, totaling 20 points apiece. Maturah nearly reached a double-double with 20 points and nine boards, while Roberson finished with 20 points and six rebounds. Junior Donovin Ford-Hayes (Windsor Locks, Conn.) was also solid with 15 points for the Hawks.

Sophomore Anthony Muccioli (Nashua, N.H.) led the Fitchburg State offense, totaling a team-best 18 points with 5-of-13 shooting, while senior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass.) added 11 points, nine boards and two steals. Junior Malcolm Dixon (Brooklyn, N.Y.) chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds over 14 minutes played.

Becker came out strong in the first half, shooting 41.2% from the field for a 33-18 advantage at the break. The Hawks opened an 11 point advantage (16-5) at the 13:07 mark following a three from Roberson, before extending their lead to 13 (20-7) with a lay-up from Rashaun Liggon (Elizabeth, N.J.). Fitchburg State closed the gap to ten with five points from Muccioli, but the Hawks ended the half with an 11-6 run for a 15 point advantage at halftime.

Maturah led the Hawks with 11 points and five boards in the half, while Roberson added seven points with 3-of-6 shooting. Muccioli paced the Falcons with eight points and six caroms.

In the second half, Becker continued its momentum swing, posting a 10-5 surge to open the half and gain a 20 point advantage. The Falcons answered midway through the frame, closing their deficit to 13 behind a pair of free-throws from Dixon and a three-pointer from Muccioi at the 9:38 mark, but the Hawks maintained their double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the half and pulled away with an 8-2 run over the final three minutes.

For the game, Becker shot 47.4% from the floor, including 13-of-23 in the second half. Fitchburg State held a 48-42 advantage on the glass, but the Hawks benefit from a 19-14 turnover over margin and 20.0% shooting by the Falcons.

Fitchburg State (0-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on December 3rd as it travels to New England College at 6 p.m. Becker (3-1, 0-0 NECC) will host Babson on Tuesday at 4 p.m.