FITCHBURG NARROWLY ESCAPES CLAWS OF PRIDE

FITCHBURG, Mass. (December 1, 2009) - Sophomore Brad Girouard (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) sparked Fitchburg State with eight points off the bench as the Falcons held Regis College to only 16 second half points and collected a 51-48 non-conference victory this evening.

Fitchburg State used an explosive second half to pick up its second victory of the season, turning an eight point deficit at the break to a five point lead (42-37) midway through the second frame. Girouard capped the Falcons nine minute, 18-4 second half run with a three-point play at the 10:00 mark, while senior Jonathan Evans (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) collected five points and two steals in the rally.

Regis jumped out to an early eight point lead just 3:19 into the contest (10-2), running off ten straight points by senior James Cooper (Philadelphia, Penn./Jules E. Mastbaum) and junior Phil Alibrandi (York, Maine/York), but Fitchburg State battled back, using nine points off turnovers to grab a four point lead (18-14) at 8:32 of the first period.

The Pride answered Fitchburg State's offensive surge late in the first half, taking a double-digit lead (32-22) with 0:57 remaining in the half. Alibrandi led all first half scorers with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while senior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) paced the Falcons with eight points and four rebounds.

London led all scorers in the contest, falling only one rebound shy of his first double-double of the season. The senior guard posted a game-high 16 points (7-of-16 shooting) to go with a team-best nine rebounds and three steals. Alibrandi led all Regis' scorers with a team-best 13 points and seven boards, while senior Jesse Vega (Pawtucket, R.I./St. Raphael Academy) added ten points and nine caroms for the visitors.

Fitchburg State (2-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it travels to Daniel Webster at 3 p.m. Regis (2-2, 0-0 TCCC) will host Worcester State College on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Fitchburg State 51, Regis 48