BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The Bridgewater State College men's basketball team used a 17-0 run to overcome a late seven-point deficit as the Bears went on to defeat Fitchburg State College, 80-71, in MASCAC action this afternoon from the Tinsley Center in Bridgewater.
Sophomore forward Judah Jackson (Everett, MA) scored a team-high 20 points and senior forward Stace Garrick (West Warwick, RI) notched 16 of his season-high 18 points in the second half to propel the Bears to the come-from-behind victory. The pair also accounted for 16 of the 17 points during the 17-0 run.
Bridgewater improved to 9-5 on the season and 2-1 in the MASCAC. Fitchburg dips to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
Bridgewater was at its' best in the closing minutes of each half. Down 37-30 with 3:28 to play in the opening stanza, the Bears ended the half on a 10-4 run to make it a one-point deficit (41-40) at the intermission. In the second half, BSC trailed 67-59 with 4:14 remaining in the game when they scored the 17 straight points to take a 76-67 lead.
BSC shot 41% (25-for-61) from the floor and finished 24-for-31 (77%) from the free throw line. The Bears held a 39-33 rebounding advantage with 15 boards coming off the offensive glass. Senior center Roland Millien (Stoughton, MA) posted his eighth double-double of the season as he finished with 14 points and 14 boards with six of his game-high 14 boards coming off the offensive glass.
Fitchburg was led by senior forward Brian Torres (North Dighton, MA) who finished with a game-high 22 points. Sophomore forward Elliot Knower (Templeton, MA) notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and junior center Timothy Graham (Arlington, MA) added 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting.
The MASCAC schedule resumes for both teams next week. Bridgewater hosts Worcester State College next Thursday night at 7:30, while Fitchburg also hosts the Lancers on Tuesday night at 7:30.