Falcons edge Raiders, 84-80

(Nashua, NH) Fitchburg State's Zach Valliere scored 21 points and Tom Henneberry added 20 as the Falcons defeated host Rivier College, 84-80 in the 2011 Rivier College-All Metals Industries Men's Basketball Classic.

The team traded baskets throughout most of the first half. With about six minutes left, Fitchburg State went on a 16-7 run to close out the half and take a 10 point advantage into locker room. The Falcons shot at a 35% clip from the field in the first stanza while the Raiders were at 32%.

The Falcons would extend their lead to 13 points just three minutes into the second half. The Raiders dug deep and over the next five minutes cut the deficit to just two. However, Fitchburg State went on a little run and quickly brought the lead back to 10 points.

In the final minutes Rivier would come within three points of the lead but back-to-back baskets by Henneberry and a tip in from Adam Fahey, sealed the game.

Sophomore Tom Poitras (Bow, NH) was the game high scorer with 24 points. Senior Brain Troy (Westmoreland, NH) was solid off the bench as he added 12 points; including four huge three pointers. Junior Cliff Celestin (Boston, MA) led the team with 8 rebounds while classmate Garon Whitney (Dover, NH) contributed with 4 assists.

For Fitchburg State, Mike Ingram-Rubin and Brandon Selby recorded double-digit point games with 15 and 14 points respectively. Both Valliere and Henneberry had double-doubles with 10 and 12 rebounds to go along with their 21 and 20 points.

In the final day of the 2011 Rivier College-All Metals Industries Men's Basketball Classic, Fitchburg State will take on Daniel Webster College in a 12pm tip-off. Rivier will play Framingham State in a 2pm contest.