After holding a slim 32-31 lead at the half, the Falcons outscored the Rams 14-6 in the paint in the second half to take control of the game. Junior forwards Albert Ortiz and Nick Smith had huge games in the paint for the Falcons. Ortiz led all scorers with a game high 17 points on 6 of 8 shooting from the field and 8 rebounds, while Smith had 11 points and game high 13 rebounds. Senior guard Dan Koen had a solid game as he chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals.
The Rams were led by senior guards Omar Almodovar, who had 15 points including 4 of 6 from behind the arc, and Tony Washington who had 9 points and a team high 9 boards.
The Rams return to action on Thursday as they travel host the Owls of Westfield State at 7:30, while the Falcons host the Trailblazers of MCLA at 7:30 on Thursday night.
FITCHBURG STATE 68, FRAMINGHAM STATE 52 FITCHBURG STATE (6-10, 1-3) Albert Ortiz 6-8 5-5 17; Dan Koen 5-12 0-1 13; Nick Smith 4-9 3-3 11; Brian Skiffington 3-8 0-0 8; Matt Collins 2-3 0-0 6; Colby Donnelly 2-7 0-1 5; Mike Woods 1-2 0-0 3; Andrew Vayo 1-3 0-0 2; Peter Uzoma 1-3 0-0 2; Jeff Kozik 0-3 1-2 1. Totals 25-58 9-12 68. FRAMINGHAM STATE (7-8, 2-3) Omar Almodovar 5-11 1-2 15; Derek Wigman 4-15 4-5 13; Anthony Washington 3-7 3-8 9; Ryan Dacey 3-10 0-0 6; Rob Scarpato 1-1 2-2 4; Joseph Faradie 0-7 3-4 3; Daniel Boyce 1-1 0-0 2; Matt Nicholson 0-2 0-0 0; Michael Tanglis 0-0 0-0 0; Anthony Smith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-55 13-21 52. 3-point goals-Fitchburg State 9-24 (Dan Koen 3-8; Brian Skiffington 2-5; Matt Collins 2-3; Mike Woods 1-2; Colby Donnelly 1-3; Jeff Kozik 0-2; Nick Smith 0-1), Framingham State 5-22 (Omar Almodovar 4-6; Derek Wigman 1-10; Ryan Dacey 0-3; Matt Nicholson 0-2; Anthony Smith 0-1). Fouled out--Fitchburg State-None, Framingham State-None. Rebounds-Fitchburg State 47 (Nick Smith 13), Framingham State 30 (Anthony Washington 9). Assists-Fitchburg State 10 (Brian Skiffington 3; Jeff Kozik 3), Framingham State 8 (Anthony Washington 3). Total fouls-Fitchburg State 17, Framingham State 19. A-200