Bird, Gittens Spark Second-Half Rally for MCLA Men

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- MCLA's Hayden Bird and Quentin Gittens combined for 32 second half points as the Trailblazer men's basketball team pulled away from visiting NVU-Lyndon 91-74 this evening in non conference play.
 
The win for MCLA (4-5) marked its second straight triumph. The Hornets drop to 1-5 overall.
 
Both teams traded runs in the opening half and MCLA led by double digits early. The Hornets fought back however and trail just 42-41 at halftime. Drury alum Bird and Taconic gradate Gittens were relatively quiet in the opening half combining for just 7 points on 1-for-5 shooting.
 
The second half was a different story.
 
Bird, who leads all of NCAA Division III in 3-point field goals made, went off for 19 second half points. He was 7-for-11 in the half and was was 6-for-9 behind the arc. He tallied 19 second half points to end with a game high 24-point night.  
 
Early in the second half, it was Gittens who made his presence felt. The junior was a force down low as he scored eight straight points in one stretch to help MCLA open up a double digit lead.  Gittens ended the half 5-8 from the floor and scored 13 of his 15 points in the closing stanza.
 
Even with Gittens torrid start to the half, MCLA led just 61-58 after a Hornet bucket with 12:16 left. MCLA responded with a 9-4 surge to take a 70-62 edge.  Lyndon would keep battling and get the lead down to five points at 72-67, but a Bird triple and Noah Yearsley drive extended the margin to 10 and MCLA never looked back. Down the stretch, the lead stayed in double figures as Lyndon couldn't find much offense down the stretch.
 
Drury grad Reece Racette had his best offensive game of the season with 15 points and narrowly missed a double-double by pulling down nine rebounds. He added five assists to his stat line.  Yearsley ended with 14 points in the win. Quincy Kelly had a nice night off the bench with a season best 10 points.  
 
MCLA shot 48 percent in the win and owned a commanding 49-31 edge off the glass.
 
Lyndon was paced by Zach Falkenburg's 24 points.  Luke Fredsell finished with 15 points while Antonio Carlisle chipped in with 16 points before fouling out.
 
MCLA is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Elms College.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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