Falcons Upended By Lightning In Non-Conference Matchup
Danbury, Conn. – The Fitchburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a 77-64 decision to the Lightning of Lehman College this afternoon in the consolation game of the 2022-23 Wolves Classic from the O'Neill Center.
The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State 64, Lehman 77
Fitchburg State (0-4, 0-0 MASCAC) I Lehman (1-1, 0-0 (CUNYAC)
How It Happened
1st half
Lehman grabbed a 12-6 edge on a bucket from senior Marquese Johnson (Philadelphia, Penn.) before Fitchburg State answered with baskets by juniors Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass) and Quincy Taylor (Boston, Mass.) to take a 19-18 margin.
The Falcons pushed the lead to 21-20 with sophomore Casey Hodder (Sayreville, N.J.) notching a jumper, but the Lightning regained the lead (32-28) on two free throw each by senior Mo Idrissou (Bronx, N.Y.) and newcomer Elijah Avilla (Bronx, N.Y.).
Lehman pushed the lead to 39-34 as Idrissou sank a pair from the charity stripe before the Green and Gold answered back just before the half with senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) registering a jumper to trim the deficit to 39-36.
2nd Half
Following the intermission, Fitchburg State went on a 7-2 with Allen connecting on a pair of buckets, while Q. Taylor added a layup for the Green and Gold for the 43-41 margin. Lehman regained the advantage though with Idrissou, Johnson and senior Will Feldman (Bronx, N.Y.) registering baskets.
The Falcons took the lead back midway through the second frame as J. Taylor hit buckets and newcomer Joshua Okoroji-Schaeffer (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) added a jumper for the 50-47 advantage.
The Lightning battle back to take a 61-53 lead on a three ball from junior Juan Fernandez (Bronx, N.Y.) before the Green and Gold struck back with Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) three pointer of his own (61-56).
Trailing 67-56, Q.Taylor drove the lane and hit a layup to reduce the lead to 67-58, but Lehman hit seven free-throws down the stretch to secure the victory, resulting in the 77-64 final.
Inside the Numbers
- Falcons were led by Q. Taylor with a team-leading 15 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks
- Siayor added 13 points, five boards and one steal
- For the Lightning, Feldman finished with a game-best 26 points, ten caroms, five assists and one steal
- Idrissou chipped in with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists.
- First ever meeting between the Lightning and the Falcons on the hardwood
- Fitchburg State shot 25-for-64 (39.1%) from the field and (7-of-30) 23.3%% from three point range
- Lehman finished 23-of-55 (41.8%) overall and (7-for-20) 35.0% for beyond the arc
- Falcons finished with a narrow 40-39 edge on the glass
Up Next
Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Rhode Island College for a non-conference tilt, starting at 7:00 PM.