The Falcons (2-11, 0-2 MASCAC), after being down by 15 points at one point in the second half, had gotten the score as close as 77-75 Vikings with 1:26 to play before Salem (11-2, 1-0 MASCAC) went on an 8-0 run to close the scoring.
FSC had broken out to a 9-0 lead early in the contest via a three-pointer by Matt Collins, a pair of layups by Nick Smith and a lay upby Adam DiZuzio, before SSC came back and claimed the lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half on a lay up by Willie Phillips to make it 21-19 Salem.
The Vikings were down 19-16 before they went on a 19-2 run over the next 3:39 to claim a 35-21 lead late in the first half.
Victor Wilkens led all scorers with a game-high 20 points for the Vikings, while Anosike Ifesinachi added 16. Rashad Cope and Jim Prignano had a team-high 16 points each for Fitchburg. Smith had a double-double for Fitchburg (10 points, 11 rebounds).
FSC returns to action next Thursday against Wheaton College in a non-conference road game, while Salem hosts Westfield State in a MASCAC tilt Tuesday.
By Sean Sweeney - Correspondent
Newspaper Box Score Salem State vs Fitchburg State 1/15/04 3:00pm at Fitchburg, MA At Fitchburg, MA SALEM STATE 85, FITCHBURG STATE 75 SALEM STATE (11-2, 1-0) Wilkins Victor 7-10 3-5 20; Ifesinachi Anosike 4-6 8-20 16; Isaiah Bradshaw 3-3 6-6 12; Allen Reid 4-10 0-0 11; Shawn Bloom 4-9 3-6 11; Tyler Lang 3-8 0-2 6; Willie Phillips 3-5 0-0 6; Alex Finn 1-4 0-0 3; Kris Gentilotti 0-2 0-0 0; Paul Demosthene 0-0 0-0 0; Joseph Martin 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-58 20-39 85. FITCHBURG STATE (2-11, 0-2) Rashad Cope 6-13 4-7 16; Jim Prignano 7-14 0-0 16; Nick Smith 4-8 2-4 10; Peter Uzoma 4-9 1-2 9; Dan Largesse 3-10 1-2 8; Matt Collins 2-7 0-0 6; Brian Torres 2-6 2-2 6; Dan Koen 0-0 2-2 2; Adam DiZuzio 1-3 0-0 2; Brian Skiffington 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-70 12-19 75. Salem State................... 37 48 - 85 Fitchburg State............... 26 49 - 75 3-point goals- Salem State 7-16 (Wilkins Victor 3-4; Allen Reid 3-8; Alex Finn 1-2; Shawn Bloom 0-1; Willie Phillips 0-1), Fitchburg State 5-20 (Jim Prignano 2-4; Matt Collins 2-5; Dan Largesse 1-6; Brian Torres 0-4; Adam DiZuzio 0-1). Fouled out-- Salem State-Ifesinachi Anosike, Fitchburg State-Rashad Cope. Rebounds- Salem State 43 (Ifesinachi Anosike 9; Tyler Lang 9), Fitchburg State 42 (Nick Smith 11). Assists- Salem State 16 (Allen Reid 4; Wilkins Victor 4), Fitchburg State 15 (Matt Collins 5). Total fouls- Salem State 18, Fitchburg State 24. A-300