Lynn, MA – With first place on the line, the Fisher College Men’s Basketball team defended their home court as they held on for an 87-85 win over rival University of Maine-Fort Kent. The teams entered today’s match up with UMFK just a half-game ahead of the Falcons.
Fisher College (11-14/7-3) started the game on a 13-4 run, highlighted by two three pointers from seniors Christaan Hammond (Seattle, WA), pictured left and Louis Williams (Burlington, VT). Maine-Fort Kent (16-9 / 7-4) would return the favor and take a 10 point lead with a 24-2 run over a 10 minute span. As the final six minutes ticked off the clock in first half, Fisher would eventually tie the game at 28 on a huge three pointer by Hammond. Just 1:16 later, the Falcons would extend their lead to four with a thunderous slam dunk from senior Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY). Brown was on the receiving end of a terrific play by Hammond as he crossed up two Benglas and threaded the ball between a defender’s legs to Brown for the dunk. Fisher would close out the first half of action leading by six with a 39-33 score.
After freshman Elijah Chisholm (East Boston, MA) completed a three point play – made field goal and ensuing free throw – the Falcons found themselves in control of the game up by 17 with 12 minutes remaining. However, Maine-Fort Kent dug deep and produced yet another amazing run. Over the next five minutes, UMFK used a 19-2 run to tie the game at 62 with just seven minutes left. Williams would hit two free throws at the 4:11 mark to give Fisher the lead that they would not relinquish as they held on for the win.
“This was a huge win for us.” Williams (pictured right) said following the game. “Fort Kent, they’re a good team. We were fortunate enough to come away with the win tonight.”
The win catapults Fisher into a tie of first place in the Sunrise Conference with Vermont Technical College. Vermont Tech currently holds the tie breaker as the have beaten the Falcons twice this season.
Hammond finished the game leading the Falcon offense with 23 points and handing out nine assists. Junior Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT) played outstanding down in the paint as he added 18 points and collected 10 rebounds – his ninth double-double of the season. Also recording a double-double was senior Daniel Nance (Brooklyn, NY) who had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Williams finished with 13 points, leaving him just 93 points shy of 2,000 for his career. He also set the mark for most career points (1,907) surpassing Michael Newcombe’s 1,898 points.
The next two games are critical for the Falcons. They will host the College of Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday night before traveling to SUNY-Canton to finish the season on Saturday (2/19). St. Joe’s is currently sitting in fourth place with an 11-14 overall record and a 6-4 mark in Conference play , one game behind Fisher and Vermont Tech for first place. Earlier this season, the Falcons were able to escape Rutland, VT with a 93-89 victory.
“We’ll be ready for St. Joe’s” was Hammond’s response when asked about the upcoming game. “We know how big of a game it is. Thankfully we are playing at home in front of our fans and its senior night!”
Wednesday night’s game will start at approximately 8 pm with Senior Night activities scheduled to begin 10 minutes prior to tip off.
Women's Basketball
Freshman Javanna Bernard (Waterbury, CT) and senior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) combined for 30 points but that was not enough as the Lady Falcons fell to reigning Sunrise Conference Champion, Maine-Fort Kent this afternoon, 65-47.
Beckman finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds while Bernard had 13 points. Juniors Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) and Talia Hyatt (Dorchester, MA) each collected double digit rebounds as they had 12 and 10 respectively.
For Maine-Fort Kent, freshman Jenn Colpitts (Scarborough, ME) led the team with a game high 20 points and 14 rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Falcons have been mathematically eliminated from Sunrise Conference Tournament contention.
Fisher (6-15/3-6) will host the College of Saint Joseph's on Wednesday night at the Fecteau-Leary Gymnasium. Game time is set for 6 pm with senior night activities scheduled for 10 minutes prior to tip off.
Baseball
Hardeeville, SC - The Fisher College Baseball team dropped their final two games of the opening four game road trip. #18 South Carolina-Beaufort was able to beat Fisher by scores of 11-2 and 8-2.
Game One: #18 South Carolina-Beaufort 11, Fisher 2
The Sand Sharks were able to score 11 runs on 10 hits as they took game three of the four game series, 11-2 at the Richard Gray Sports Complex in Hardeeville, SC.
Fisher College starting pitcher sophomore Casey Reed (Ossippie, NH) lasted just 2 innings as he allowed 6 runs (all earned) on seven hits. A quartet of relief pitchers combined to pitch the final four innings, allowing 5 runs on three hits while striking out two and walking eight.
Offensively for Fisher (0-3) both senior Mike Oliveira (Tewksbury, MA) and freshman Victor Lebron (Union City, NJ) were 2-for-3 and 2-for-4 respectively. Senior Jose Rodriguez (Clermont, FL) added a two RBI single as he finished the game 1-for-4.
Game Two: #18 South Carolina-Beaufort 8, Fisher 2
South Carolina-Beaufort scored four runs off of Fisher College senior Patrick Talbot (Madison, CT) in the sixth to complete the four game sweep. Fisher starter sophomore Mike Callahan (Chepachet, RI) kept the Falcons (0-4) in the game as he allowed just four runs in his 3.2 innings pitched. Freshman Andrew Hurd (Barnstable, MA) came in for the final out of the fourth before giving way to junior Austin Brodie (Haverhill, MA). Brodie faced just three hitters, striking out one in his only inning of work.
At the plate for Fisher, sophomore Sebastiano Petruzzelli (Saugus, MA) was a perfect 2-for-2 while senior Reynaldo Nunez (Santiago, Dominican Rebublic) added a RBI as he finished 1-for-4.
Fisher Baseball will return to action in two weeks (2/26) as they will travel to Shawnee State University in Ohio for four games against Shawnee State (two games) and Walsh University (two games).
