Framingham (8-6 overall, 4-1 in the MASCAC) received a 22-point performance from Derek Wigman, who went 7-of-15 from the field, including three three-pointers, as well as 12 points from Jared Clark. With the win, the Rams continue to enjoy a half game advantage over Bridgewater State and Salem State atop the MASCAC.
Rashad Cope scored 15 points and pulled down 10 boards off the glass to lead Fitchburg (2-14 overall, 0-4), who also saw Jim Prignano score 13 points. Brian Torres also scored 12 points for the Falcons.
Fitchburg broke out to a 6-1 lead over the first 1:37, but saw its lead slip away as Wigman, Clark and Chris Feeney hit baskets to give the Rams a 7-6 lead. The teams exchanged the lead several times over the course of the first half, with Fitchburg holding a 39-33 edge going into the locker room.
Framingham would battle back in the early stages of the second half to take the lead, using an unmerciful 15-0 run over five minutes. Trailing 48-41 with 15:20 to go, Feeney hit a three-pointer before Clark laid it in to close the gap to 48-46. Wigman then took a pass from Feeney before he laid it in to tie the score at 48-48, before Joseph Faradie laid it in after a steal by Wigman to take the lead for good.
The Rams got the lead up to 55-48 on a Faradie layup with 11:27 to go, which was the last field goal Framingham scored in the game until Paul Tanglis laid it up with 1:43 left to make it 60-56. Framingham would hit their free throws down the stretch to keep the Falcons at bay.
Both Fitchburg and Framingham are on the road Thursday, with both teams traveling to Western Massachusetts for dates against Massachusetts College and Westfield State, respectively.
By Sean Sweeney, Fitchburg State Athletics Correspondent
Newspaper Box Score Framingham State vs Fitchburg State 1/25/05 7:30pm at Fitchburg, MA At Fitchburg, MA FRAMINGHAM STATE 63, FITCHBURG STATE 58 FRAMINGHAM STATE (8-6, 4-1) Derek Wigman 7-15 5-6 22; Jared Clark 4-6 4-7 12; Joseph Faradie 3-8 1-2 7; Ralph Sully 3-4 1-2 7; Chris Feeney 2-9 1-1 6; Paul Tanglis 2-5 0-1 4; Anthony Washington 0-0 2-2 2; Omar Almodovar 1-3 0-0 2; Matthew DaCosta 0-0 1-2 1; Michael Costa 0-2 0-0 0; Ryan Dacey 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-53 15-23 63. FITCHBURG STATE (2-14, 0-4) Rashad Cope 6-9 3-4 15; Jim Prignano 5-13 0-0 13; Brian Torres 5-15 0-0 12; Dan Largesse 2-6 2-2 6; Dan Koen 2-3 0-0 5; Matt Collins 1-4 0-1 2; Brian Skiffington 1-8 0-0 2; Peter Uzoma 1-3 0-0 2; Adam DiZuzio 0-0 1-2 1; Joe Sabbagh 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-61 6-9 58. Framingham State.............. 33 30 - 63 Fitchburg State............... 39 19 - 58 3-point goals- Framingham State 4-21 (Derek Wigman 3-7; Chris Feeney 1-8; Paul Tanglis 0-3; Omar Almodovar 0-1; Michael Costa 0-1; Ryan Dacey 0-1), Fitchburg State 6-28 (Jim Prignano 3-7; Brian Torres 2-9; Dan Koen 1-2; Brian Skiffington 0-5; Matt Collins 0-2; Dan Largesse 0-3). Fouled out-- Framingham State-None, Fitchburg State-None. Rebounds- Framingham State 40 (Chris Feeney 8), Fitchburg State 34 (Rashad Cope 10). Assists- Framingham State 10 (Chris Feeney 4), Fitchburg State 15 (Jim Prignano 5). Total fouls- Framingham State 16, Fitchburg State 18. A-150