Men's Basketball Topped By Raiders In Non-Conference Action

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State men’s basketball team dropped a 82-65 decision to the Raiders of Rivier University this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Thu Nov 14, 2024

Drayton finishes with a game best 24 points for the Green and Gold

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State men's basketball team dropped a 82-65 decision to the Raiders of Rivier University this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 65, Rivier 82

Records: Fitchburg State (0-3, 0-0 MASCAC) | Rivier (3-0, 0-0 GNAC)

How It Happened

First Half

Rivier raced out to a 14-5 advantage as junior Matt Constant (Laconia, NH) registered eight of the points for the visitors. Fitchburg State countered with three-pointers from sophomore Jalen Jackson (San Antonio, TX) and junior Nicolas Von Zboray (Pollack Pines, CA) to make the score 20-13.

The Falcons went on a 10-1 run to take a 25-23 advantage on a pair of buckets by Jackson and sophomore Matthew Drayton (Boston, MA) before the Raiders retied the contest at 25-25 when graduate student Kyler Bosse (Manchester, NH) connected on a layup.

The Green and Gold regained lead with a Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) layup and a three-ball and layup from Drayton for the 34-28 edge. Rivier capped the scoring in the first half with buckets by Bosse and senior Odarius Cade (Anderson, SC) to make the score 35-32 going into the break.

Second Half

Following the intermission, Rivier trimmed the deficit to 45-44 as Constant converted a layup and free-throw before Fitchburg State answered back with a Drayton layup (47-44). The Raiders took the lead back (55-47), going on an 11-0 run, capped by a pair of free-throws from Constant before the Falcons responded with a Drayton three-pointer to make the score 55-50.

The visitors pushed the lead to 68-53 with Bosse converting a pair from the charity stripe before the Falcons answered back with a Franks jumper and two free-throws by Drayton (70-57). The Green and Gold cut the lead to 74-61 with Von Zboray netting a layup, but Rivier secured the victory as Bosse hit a layup, resulting in the 82-65 final.

Inside the Numbers

Drayton led the way for the Falcons with a game-best 24 points, six caroms and two assists
Jackson chipped in with 15 points, 11 rebounds and one assist
For the Raiders, Constant finished with a team-leading 20 points, five boards, two assists and one steal
Bosse added 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists
11th meeting between Fitchburg State and Rivier on the basketball court with the Falcons 4-7 all-time when taking on the Raiders
Fitchburg State shot 26-for-66 (39.4%) from the field and (6-of-20) 30.0% from three point range
Rivier finished 27-of-62 (43.5%) overall and (4-for-21) 19.0% for beyond the arc
The Raiders finished with a 33-29 edge on the glass

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they travel to Dean College to take on the Bulldogs in non-conference action, starting at 1:00PM.

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