Fitchburg State Claws Pasts Cougars, 84-77 (OT)

Burgos nets game-best 20 points in Falcons first victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team opened their 2015-16 home schedule with an 84-77 overtime triumph over the visiting Cougars of Clark University in non-conference action at the Parkinson Gymnasium this evening.

In the opening minutes of the contests, Fitchburg State took a 6-2 lead on baskets by senior forwards Kwame Lee and Givaughn Jones as well as junior Leonny Burgos. The Cougars responded with 10-0 run to take 12-6 advantage with just under 14 minutes to go in the first half as junior guard Joe Atkinson started the stretch with a layup, while sinking a shot from beyond the arc.

Midway through the first frame with Clark holding a 25-19 lead, the Falcons regained the lead (33-27), going a 16-2 stretch, aided by four points from both Burgos and sophomore Josh Bosworth, while Jalen Williams and Christian Dunston added three points apiece as the Green and Gold took a slim 35-34 margin into the break.

Following intermission, the hosts expanded its lead to 12 (48-36) early in the second half on baskets from Burgos, Lee and senior Anthony Muccioli before Dunston hit knocked down a layup and a three ball with 14:33 remaining in regulation.

The Cougars battled back with 11 minutes left as junior David Mecier converted an and-one opportunity, sparking a 10-0 run for the visitors. With 6:40 left senior guard Tyler Huffman regained the lead for Clark (54-52), hitting a shot from beyond arc before Dunston responded with his third three pointer of the contest for the Falcons.

In the final minute of regulation, newcomer Luca McCormack hit a jump shot to the visitors back on top, 68-66, only to have Lee sink a running layup to knot the score at 68 apiece to force the overtime period.

In the extra frame, the Green and Gold secured its first win on the season, outscoring the Cougars 16-9 over the five minute overtime period. Bosworth led the way for the Falcons, scoring ten of his 14 points.

In the contest, Fitchburg State shot 32-for-62 (51.6%) from the field, including 30.8% (4-for-13) from beyond the arc, while the Cougars finished 29-of-69 (42.0%) overall and 7-for-27 (25.9%) from three point range. The Falcons also held a narrow 39-38 margin in rebounds, Clark controlled the offensive glass (9-7).

Burgos led the way for the Falcons, collecting a game-high 20 points, six caroms, five assists and a pair of steals, while Bosworth posted 14 points, seven boards, two assists and a pair of steals. For Clark, Atkinson notched a team-leading 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Huffman added 15 points, three boards, two assists and a pair of steals for the Cougars.

"Josh is a baller, he's a Springfield kid with a high basketball IQ and we're lucky to have him here." Said Fitchburg State men's basketball head coach Titus Manderson following the impressive overtime performance.

The Green and Gold (1-2, 0-0 MASCAC) are back in action on Thursday November 19^th as they host the Anchormen of Rhode Island College in a non-conference contest at 730 p.m. Clark University (1-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) return to the court on Friday November 20^th, as they take on the Gulls of Endicott College in opening round of the 2015 Herb Kenny Tipoff Tournament, hosted by Wesleyan University.

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme

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