12/06/2007
Fitchburg State Overtakes Men's Basketball

WORCESTER, MASS. 12/06/07 - Brian Torres (Dighton, Mass.) scored a game-high 33 points, including four three-pointers, and Jeff Zozik (Auburn, Mass.) finished with 27 points to lead the Fitchburg State College men’s basketball team to a 106-96 victory over Clark University in a non-conference game played Thursday night at the Kneller Athletic Center.

Clark, which hit just eight of 24 three-point attempts, falls to 3-4. Fitchburg improves to 5-1.

Trailing by 13 (13-16) in the first half, Mark Alexander (Providence, R.I.) scored seven straight points capped by a deep three to bring Clark within six (20-26) at the 10:15 mark. The Falcons answered every Clark run over the next 6:10 and outscored the hosts 16-11 in the final 3:30 of the frame to take a 57-41 halftime lead. Torres scored 10 of his 21 first half points in the run.

Following the break, the Cougars went on a 10-2 burst sparked by back-to-back three pointers from Chris Lopiano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) and Pat Landers (Worcester, Mass.) to cut the deficit to eight (51-59) at the 17:07 mark. The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes, until Clark closed to within seven on a pair of trips to the line. Normandin, who missed his first foul shot after 18 straight made attempts over two games, drained the second for a nine point deficit and Sal DeMarco (Queens, N.Y.) hit a pair of free throws to trail 56-63. However, Clark never threatened the rest of the way.

Four players reached double-figures for Clark. Alexander had 23 points, while Normandin added 18 points and a team-high six rebounds. Lopiano and Landers finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Brian Skiffington (North Adams, Mass.) had 19 points and Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass.) finished with 10 points to round out Fitchburg’s top scorers.

Clark will travel to Tufts University for a non-conference tilt on Saturday (1 p.m.). Fitchburg will play at Becker College on Tuesday at 8 p.m.