Fitchburg State Men Edge MCLA
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Fitchburg State's Dayne Allen posted 13 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to help lift the visiting Falcons men's basketball team past the MCLA Trailblazers, 60-59, in a low scoring affair from the Amsler Campus Center.
The Falcons are now 4-11 overall but more importantly move to 2-2 in the league. MCLA drops their third straight contest as they're now 6-9 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
Fitchburg (4-11, 2-2 MASCAC) held a ten-point lead at 30-20 just before halftime until Dylan Morris-Gray connected from long range to slice the deficit to 30-23 at the half. MCLA (6-9, 1-3) continued to surge at the start of the second half as it posted a 7-0 spurt capped by another bucket from Morris-Gray to tie things up at 30-30.
Fitchburg responded however as Allen scored back-to-back buckets to grab the momentum back, giving the Falcons a narrow lead. MCLA trailed by just one again a few minutes later after a Hayden Bird long ball, but Fitchburg responded with a 7-0 spurt to take command at 43-35 with just more than 13 minutes left to play.
Both teams went cold on the offensive end for the next several minutes and with 5:50 left to play, Fitchburg was still clinging to a 52-43 lead. MCLA clawed its way back however over the final few minutes. Bird's layup would pull them within four at 52-48 but Fitchburg's Tayjahn Joyner would knock down a jumper and make one of two at the line to push the margin to 57-51 with under two to play. MCLA made three free throws to get within 57-54 with 43 seconds remaining,
Fitchburg was fouled with 12 seconds remaining and converted the first of two before MCLA's Jojo Garcia would rattle home a three to get within one at 58-57. With MCLA forced to foul, Fitchburg's Mikal Garcia calmly drained a pair to put the Falcons back up three at 60-57 with just 5 seconds left. MCLA had a chance, but Morris-Gray's 3-pointer was short, and the Trailblazers converted a layup at the buzzer to provide the final margin.
MCLA was paced by Morris-Gray's 14 point night. Bird and Noah Yearsley each ended with 12 points. The Trailblazers were hampered by a 32% shooting night and a 9-16 performance at the line.
The Trailblazers host Bridgewater State on Wednesday night.
Women's Basketball
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Visiting Fitchburg State placed three players in double figures led by Jadelen Harold's 160point effort to lead the women's basketball team past MCLA 59-51 in MASCAC action.
The Falcons (2-12 overall) earn their first conference win and are now 1-2 in the league. MCLA (0-15) is now 0-5 in league play.
MCLA (0-15) started fast and opened up a quick 9-4 advantage, however the Falcons (2-12) clamped down and hold the Trailblazers without a point over the next eight plus minutes. In that span, the Falcons went on a 12-0 run to grab a 16-9 lead.
The hosts got within one early in the third quarter on Maddie Teta's layup (31-30), but the Falcons answered with a triple from Morgan Genness to increase the lead to 34-30. With the score at 40-37 in favor of the visitors, the visitors closed the third quarter with an 8-1 run to grab a 48-38 lead with one quarter left to play.
MCLA pulled within six points at 52-46 on a three-pointer from Hannah Mazzeo, but Fitchburg once again responded. This time, Harold scored back-to-back hoops to put the game away.
MCLA was paced by Hannah Mazzeo's big night. The senior scored a game high 24 points and completed the double double with 10 boards. Joining her in double figures was Drury graduate Brooke Digennaro, who ended with 10 points. The Trailblazers couldn't overcome a 29% shooting performance.
MCLA is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Bridgewater State.
