Fitchburg State Snipes Newbury, 78-52

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 2, 2010) - Junior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) registered a team-high 16 points and four rebounds as Fitchburg State sniped Newbury College, 78-52 in non-conference action this evening.
           

Hopkins led five Falcons in double-figures as the first-year guard shot 60.0% from the floor (6-of-10), including 4-of-7 from three point range. Senior Colin London (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) added 12 points and seven boards to the offensive mix, while freshman Blake Sheldon (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) notched 11. Senior Brandon Edelstein (Upper Merrion, Pa./Harriton) and classmate Tim Graham (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) also chipped in with ten points apiece.
           

The game was a tale of two halves with Fitchburg State suffering a seven point deficit (34-27) at the break. Newbury used a valiant, first-half effort from freshman Timothy Young (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) who collected 20 of his game-high 23 points in the frame. Young shot an incredible 7-of-11 from the field, including 6-of-8 from three point range to lift the Nighthawks, while Edelstein and Graham kept the Falcons within striking distance with eight points apiece.
           

In the second frame, the roles were reversed as Fitchburg State shot 54.3% from the floor and limited Newbury to only 18 second half points. Hopkins and Sheldon sparked the Falcons with lights out shooting from long range as the rookie duo hit 6-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc.
           

The Falcons opened the half with a burst of fire, posting a 14-2 run in the opening four minutes to grab a 41-36 advantage. Graham ignited the Falcon rally with two points and three rebounds in the opening minute before Hopkins capped the run with a trifecta at the 15:23 mark.

Fitchburg State continued to pump the offense throughout the second half, closing out the final 6:20 with a 21-7 surge. The Falcons lead grew to as much as 29 in the period as the Fitchburg State took advantage of 14 turnovers and 16, second chance points. Hopkins and Sheldon each tallied 11 points in the half, while London added eight.

Fitchburg State (7-13, 2-5 MASCAC) will be in action on Saturday as it travels to Bridgewater State at 3 p.m. Newbury (5-14, 3-5 NECC) will host Mitchell College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Story by: Keith Brouillard -- Fitchburg Sports Information