Dean improves to 2-2. (Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com)
FRANKLIN—The Dean College men’s basketball team defeated Fitchburg State 76-64 on Saturday afternoon at Pieri Gymnasium.
The game was close in the opening seven minutes of action as Dean had a 13-12 advantage. The Bulldogs then went on a 14-3 run, ended by a Jayden Madise jumper to make it 27-15 with 6:19 remaining in the first half. However, Fitchburg State cut the lead to 29-28 thanks to five points each from Frederick Siayor and Javon Taylor.
Dean went on a 10-2 run to end the first half to take a 39-30 lead into halftime. Three minutes into the second half, Dean quickly gained a fifteen-point lead when Mark Blair found Madise on the fast break to throw down the dunk to take a 50-35 lead.
“I think the fan’s reaction [to the dunk} helped the mojo of the game because guys play off the energy from the crowd and we need all the student body to come out and support us,” Dean Coach Joe Cabral explained.
However, the Falcons made a comeback to cut it to six points after a three-ball from Siayer with 12:56 remaining in regulation. Dean pulled away, as they took a twenty-point lead with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.
“I thought our guys responded well to the game plan by paying close attention to detail, probably the best they have all year so far,” Cabral said after the game.
Jayden Madise led the way for Dean finishing with thirteen points, three rebounds, and three assists. AJ Weston was right behind him with 10 points, two rebounds, and four assists.
“Jayden is our defensive stopper by playing in passing lanes and pressures the ball to use his length to his advantage, and being disruptive on the defensive end,” Cabral explained.
The Bulldogs shot 54.5% from downtown compared to Fitchburg’s State’s 35%. Dean also dominated with points off turnovers 27-13 and points in the paint 42-24. Dean had a 26-5 advantage in fast-break points, but the Falcons had the edge on the glass with a 51-37 margin.
Dean improves to 2-2 and will have a back-to-back as they will host Medgar Evers College on Sunday at 1 pm.