Fitchburg State Rallies Past SUNY Plattsburgh, 84-81

Bell registers game best 30 points for Falcons in NCAA DIII first round victory

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team defeated the Cardinals of SUNY Plattsburgh, 84-81 in opening round action of the 2016 NCAA DIII Men's Basketball Championships this evening at Memorial Hall.

Following a quick a layup by junior Josh Bosworth to open the game, Plattsburgh State answered with seven straight points on a lay-up and three pointer from sophomore Edward Correa and a put back jumper by classmate Majestic Grigg (7-2). Fitchburg State reduced the deficit to just one (10-9) five minutes into the contest on a trey from junior Lance Hill and layups from senior Kwame Lee and junior Leonny Burgos.

Midway through the opening the frame the Falcons knotted the score at 21 all on a layup from Bosworth before the Cardinals regained the lead on its next possession as Correa buried a trey ball from the corner to make the score 24-21.

The remainder of the half was closely contested with two lead changes, while the contest was also tied once in the final five minutes of the first frame. With the score knotted at 34-34, Plattsburgh State took a 37-34 advantage into the locker room on a free throw by senior Xavier Thomas and a layup from Correa.

Following intermission, the hosts went on an 11-2 run over the first four minutes of the second half. Grigg led the offensive charge with five points, while Correa and sophomore Zack Coleman added one basket each to extend the lead to 48-36

The Green and Gold continued to battle, reducing the Cardinals lead to just three (51-48) on a trey from senior Anthony Muccioli and jumper by Burgos. Plattsburg State responded with six straight points from senior Isaiah Johnson to up the margin to 59-51 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the half.

Fitchburg State regained the lead 62-61 on three ball from Muccioli before the two teams traded the lead over the next minute of play twice. With the Green and Gold leading 78-74, Plattsburgh State rallied, regaining the lead 79-78 on a trey from sophomore Eli Bryant. But the Falcons would grabbed the lead for good, on a free throw by Lee (80-79) before junior Jaleel Bell knocked down a jumper with just over a minute left, resulting in the 84-81 final.

In the contest, Fitchburg State shot 30-for-64 (46.9%) from the field, including 58.3% (7-of-12) from beyond the arc, while the Cardinals finished 28-of-66 (42.4%) overall and 8-for-27 29.6%) from three point range. Plattsburgh State also held a 46-32 margin in rebounds, including a commanding 18-7 advantage on the offensive end.

Bell paced the Falcons with a game best 30 points, five rebounds, two assist and two steals, while Hill added 17 points, five caroms, two assists, one steal and a block for the Green and Gold. For Plattsburgh State, Richardson registered a double-double of 26 points and 15 boards as well as three assists two blocks and four steals, while Correa finished with 20 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals.

Fitchburg State (19-9, 9-3 MASCAC) advances to the round of 32 for the first time in the program's history, taking on the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University (27-2, 17-1 GNAC) tomorrow evening at Memorial Hall for a 7 p.m. tipoff.