Fitchburg, MA --- Freshman Aaron Davis' (Marshfield, MA) 3-pointer as time expired proved to be the difference maker as the Engineers of WPI rallied past Fitchburg State University, 78-75 in non-conference men's basketball action this afternoon. 

The Engineers erased a 20 point first half deficit, closing the first frame with an 11-0 run and opening the second stanza with the same momentum. WPI trailed by only two (40-38) just 2:39 into the half as Marco Coppola (Watertown, MA) capped a 7-0 rally to open the half, but Fitchburg State extended its lead to nine just seven minutes later as back-to-back buckets byMalcolm Dixon (Brooklyn, NY) and a lay-up by Zach Pope (Orlando, FL) gave the Falcons a 60-51 cushion at the 10:37 mark. 

WPI continued to battled, using a three pointer from Zach Karalis (North Andover, MA) and lay-up from Ryan Kolb (Southington, CT) to close its gap to one (60-59). A pair of free-throw from Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, MA) kept the Falcons up by three with 8:19 to play, but another bucket from Karalis and free-throw from Davis evened the score (64-64) for the Engineers. 

Down the stretch, both teams traded leads four times, including a Fitchburg State lead, 73-72 following a pair of Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, MA) free-throws with 2:15 remaining in regulation. The Engineers responded with a three point from Karalis to grab a two point advantage, but a Kimber lay-up with 22 seconds remaining knotted the score at 75-75. That set the stages for Davis, who, following a good defensive stand by the Falcons, to a feed from Coppola and connected from 22 feet out to sink the game-winner as time expired. 

Senior Tom Henneberry (Lexington, MA) turned in a strong effort for the Falcons, posting a game-best 21 points along with six rebounds, four assists and one steal, while classmateZach Valliere (Douglas, MA) finished 4-of-4 from the floor for ten points and 15 rebounds. Senior Brandon Selby (Baltimore, MD) also landed double-figures with 12 points and three steals. 

WPI received a strong offensive afternoon from Davis, who hit 4-of-5 from the floor and 2-of-2 from downtown for a 16 point effort to go along with five assists and a pair of steals. Coppola and Kolb added 15 points and 13 points respectively while Joe Wesoloski (Arlington, MA) was one of the lone bright spots in the earning going tallying all six of his points in the opening 7:18. 

For the game, Fitchburg State dominated the boards, boasting a 44-24 advantage, while also shooting 50.0% from the field and 7-of-18 from downtown. WPI finished 26-of-56 for the contest, while causing 21 Falcon turnovers. 

Fitchburg State (4-3) will be back in action on Wednesday night as it hosts Daniel Webster at 7 p.m. WPI (10-0) is off to its best start since the 2005-2006 season and defends its unbeaten record versus Colby Sawyer on December 30th at 1pm.

Release Courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information