Late foul lifts Fitchburg State to 1 point win

Senior Tri-Captain Casey Pursell

Fitchburg, MA - A late over the back foul sent Fitchburg State junior Zach Valliere (Douglas, MA) to the line with the game tied at 80. He knocked down 1 of 2 to secure the victory.

Senior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) led the Fisher offense as he scored 22 points, a game high, as he shot 9-for-19 from the floor. Senior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) added 15 points in the loss while classmate Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) played well off the bench as he recorded his third double-double of the season, 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

Fisher held a five point lead at the half, 45-40, due to their outstanding shooting from the floor. The Falcons knocked down 19 of their 35 shots (54.3%) including three key three pointers. Williams and Pursell both led the way as they collected 13 points respectively in the half.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came out hot. They shot at a 57.1% (16-for-28) clip from the floor including shooting at 50% from beyond the arc. Fitchburg used two key runs to get themselves back in the game. In the opening six minutes of the second half, FSC went on a 15-10 run to tie the score at 55. They would take a six point lead with 6:35 remaining after a 7-2 run but Fisher would battle back.

In the final minute, both junior Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT) and senior Daniel Nance (Brooklyn, NY) hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game at 80. With a chance to take the lead, Fisher had possession of the ball with less than 30 seconds left. Pursell missed a tough jumper with 0:03 left and Norford was called for the over the back foul trying to get the offensive rebound.

Norford finished the night with 19 points and 9 rebounds, one board shy of recording his third straight double-double.

Fisher will return to action this Friday night (12/10) as they take on The New School in the inaugural Holiday Hoops Classic presented by Fisher College. This will also be the home opener for the Falcons who have gotten of to a 2-9 start. Game time is set for 7pm at the Fecteau-Leary Gymnasium. The game will also be broadcasted on LETV, Lynn's Educational Television Network.