Five in a row for MCLA Men, defeat Drew 84-78

Manhattan, NY- The MCLA Men's Basketball team continued its strong play of late winning their fifth straight game this afternoon, handling Drew University 84-78 in the NYU Holiday Tournament.  With the win, MCLA is now 9-3 heading into MASCAC play.  Jamal Brown had a season high 26 points for the Trailblazers.

MCLA held a 38-33 lead at halftime after trailing 30-20. MCLA closed the half on an 18-3 run.  Drew would come out of the locker room firing though, taking the lead back at 43-42 with just over 16 minutes remaining.  After trading baskets and the score knotted at 47 apiece, Drew would push past MCLA using an 11-2 spurt to take their largest lead of the game at 58-49 at the ten minute mark.

The Trailblazers would not panic though and battled right back.  MCLA would counter immediately with a 10-0 run to take back the lead at 59-58 on a basket and foul by Jon Greenberg with 6:58 to play. Greenberg however would have to come out of the game after receiving an elbow to the head.  The elbow opened up a deep cut that would require stitches and sent him to the trainers room bleeding profusely. Bilal Shabazz would calmly sink the free throw for Greenberg completing the three point play. 

Drew would stay close and with with the score now at 68-67 in favor of the Trailblazers with 3:14 left, MCLA would go on its decisive run.  Greenberg would return to the game with his head bandaged with 2:45 play and help inspire the team pushing the lead to nine and putting the game away. A Brown free throw sandwiched around a pair of his layups and a Greenberg 3-point play gave MCLA a nine point lead at 79-70 with just 1:53 on the clock.  Drew would not challenge the rest of the way.

Brown had 17 of his 25 in the second half.  He also ended his night with 11 rebounds.  Benny Cuprill finished with 11 points including a pair of three pointers, while Tyrell Mosley came off the bench to add 11 as well.  Leading scorer Jon Greenberg was limited to 9 points, but had a game high 17 rebounds. Shabazz also added 8 points and 4 assists.

MCLA outrebounded Drew 54-23 on the night.  MCLA had 32 second chance points as opposed to five for Drew.

Drew was led by Asmar Capers, who torched MCLA for 37 points.  Terrell Brown added 14 in the loss.

MCLA now turns its attention to Worcester State when they open league play Saturday in Worcester.