MCLA snaps two game slide in win over Westfield State 75-66

North Adams, MA- Led by Chris Harris' 21 points and Jon Greenberg's double double effort, the MCLA Men's basketball snapped a two game losing skid in defeating MASCAC rival Westfield State 75-66 this evening.  The Trailblazers are now 15-5 overall, 6-2 in the league.  The Owls drop to 8-14 overall, 4-5 in the conference.

After a sluggish first half in which the Trailblazers held a 28-23 lead, MCLA pushed the tempo in the second half to seize the victory.  MCLA quickly pushed a five point halftime lead to nine on a Benny Cuprill three pointer to put them up 42-33 with 15:26 to play.  After a pair of Westfield free throws from Andrew Morgan closed the gap to seven, MCLA would score the next six points to extend the lead to double digits at 48-35.

The lead would remain in double figures until Matt Devine almost single handedly brought the Owls back.  The sophomore had a monster second half and his jumper with 11:14 to play moved Westfield to within eight at 51-43. 

The Owls continued to make runs at the hosts eventually trimming the lead to six at 63-57 with 6:19 left but MCLA had the answer.  A Jamal Brown putback followed by a Greenberg jumper pushed the margin back to ten points with only 3:36 left. 

Westfield attempted one more run and when Lee Vazquez knocked home a triple with 1:03 remaining the Owls were back within five.  MCLA would go onto to make 6 of 8 from the free throw line while holding the Owls scoreless until the final buzzer to preserve the win.

Harris' night included four of five from behind the arc while adding 8 boards.  Greenberg struggled from the floor connecting on only 4 of 17 field goals, but he went 10-14 from the line for his 18 points.  He added a game high 15 rebounds.  Brown added 10 caroms off the bench.

Devine was a one man wrecking crew totaling 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots.  Morgan finished with 11 points including a perfect 6-6 from the stripe.

The Owls were hurt by 21 turnovers in the game.  Westfield actually made more field goals than MCLA (23-21) however the Trailblazers knocked down 9 three pointers compared to only two for the Owls.

MCLA will now travel to MASCAC leading Salem State on Thursday night.