STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts men's basketball team suffered its second defeat in as many days, falling to State University of New York Institute of Technology in the consolation round of the Tournament of Heroes, 81-77, on Sunday.
The event was hosted by Staten Island University. The Trailblazers drop to 3-8 overall, while the Wildcats earned their first win of the season, improving to 1-8.
John Jones led MCLA with a double-double effort of 17 points and 16 rebounds.
The Trailblazers were down two heading into the locker room, 35-33, and tied the game at 39 apiece. MCLA never lead in the second half. The Wildcats pushed out to their largest lead of the game at 70-56 before MCLA mounted a rally.
MCLA used a 17-4 spurt to cut the margin to just one at 74-73 with 1:15 to play. Paul Maurice drilled three triples in the run. The Wildcats answered with three straight free throws to stretch back out to a four-point edge. MCLA got within a pair again with just four seconds left, but SUNYIT closed out MCLA with two more clutch free throws.
Jones was 6-14 on the night in leading MCLA. Maurice finished with 17 as well, including a 4-7 performance from beyond the arc. Dominique Bostick chipped in with 11 off the bench.
For the Wildcats, Desmian Greer had a game-high 25 points, including a 15-17 showing from the charity stripe. T'Andre Richardson finished with 17, while Ryan James added 15.
SUNYIT held a commanding edge at the free throw line converting 37-45 compared to 22-31 for MCLA.
MCLA will be off until Jan. 3 when they travel to face Sage College.
