Fitchburg State To Square Off With Rochester In Opening Round Of 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships
After capturing its first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament title with three straight road victories, Fitchburg State looks to continue its winning ways in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships on Saturday when the Falcons visit the University of Rochester in opening round action
Courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information
The Fitchburg State men's basketball team collected the program's first NCAA berth this past weekend, defeating the Trailblazers of MCLA, 80-72 on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons now enter first round action of the NCAA Division III men's basketball championships and are set to square off against The University of Rochester on Saturday, March 2nd. Game time will be announced.
Fitchburg State enters to the 2013 NCAA Tournament winners of the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championship. The Falcons won three straight road games in the tournament, defeating Bridgewater State, 63-60, in the quarterfinals, Westfield State, 68-61, in the semifinals and MCLA, 82-80 in the finals.
Junior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass./Bedford) led the Falcons throughout the title run, averaging 18.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, while earning Most Valuable Player honors. Ingram-Rubin notched 26 points, including six three-pointers and seven rebounds in 68-61 semi-final victory at Westfield State to go with 25 points and three assists in 80-72 title game triumph at MCLA. The junior guard shot 57 percent (17-30) from field and 65 percent (11-17) from behind arc, including ten treys in semi-final and championship rounds.
The Falcons head into the tournament with an overall record of 16-10, including a 9-4 mark on the road. This season, senior Zach Valliere (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) led the Fitchburg State offense, totaling a team-best double-double of 14.2 ppg and 10.0 rebounds/g. Classmate Tom Henneberry (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) has also been solid, ranking second overall in scoring with 13.3 ppg, while Ingram-Rubin and senior Brandon Selby (Baltimore, Md./Joppatowne) have also added double-figures with 12.1 ppg and 10.1 ppg respectively.
Rochester heads into the tournament at 21-4, finishing the season tied for the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship with a 10-4 record. The tournament berth marks the second NCAA playoff appearance for the Yellow Jackets in the last three seasons. Rochester won its first two games in that tournament and hosted the Sweet 16. They lost to second-ranked Middlebury in the Sweet 16.
For those who cannot attend Saturday's game at The University of Rochester, live coverage will be available the web by visit www.fitchburgfalcons.com.