WALTHAM, Mass. — The host Brandeis Judges moved to 7-1 on the season after they shot 57 percent from the floor in an 86-65 win over the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers Wednesday night. The Trailblazers were held to a season-low point total and shot 44 percent from the floor as they dropped to 1-5 on the season.
MCLA placed four players in double figures, led by freshman Paul Maurice's 14 points. Mike Muller finished with 12, while Richard Johnson and Bilal Shabazz chipped in with 11 and 10 respectively.
The Judges held a slim 34-32 lead at halftime, but quickly took control over the final 20 minutes. Brandeis outscored MCLA 16-5 out of the locker room to open up a 50-37 lead with 15 minutes to play. Brandeis' Alex Stoyle and Ben Bartoldus drained three-pointers in the run.
Maurice kept MCLA within striking distance as his layup got the Trailblazers within eight points at 55-47. The Judges answered with a 7-0 run though to take a 62-47 lead at the ten minute mark. Back-to-back three-pointers from Maurice would trim the margin to nine, but Brandeis answered again with Youri Dascy basket. Following a Vernon Cross triple, his only bucket of the night, MCLA pulled within seven but would get no closer the rest of the way.
Brandeis outscored MCLA 22-8 the rest of the way.
Maurice shot 5-9 from the floor off the bench for MCLA and added five steals. John Jones, who had a poor shooting night, finished with a team-high nine rebounds. Shabazz added five assists for MCLA.
Brandeis was led by Bartoldus' 18 points. His night included three shots from beyond the arc. Stoyle added 13 points and five assists. Dascy ended the night with 12 points while Derek Retos had 10.
MCLA returns to the Amsler Campus Center on Saturday when they host SUNY-Canton at 2 p.m.
