MCLA falls short on Senior Day 79-73 to Bridgewater
North Adams, MA- MCLA honored 8 seniors playing their final home game, however visiting Bridgewater State earned a hard fought 79-73 victory over the Trailblazers in the regular season finale for both schools. With the loss, MCLA completes its season with a record of 16-8 (7-5 MASCAC), while Bridgewater improves to 16-9 (7-5 MASCAC).
MCLA played without leading scorer and rebounder Jon Greenberg as MCLA earned the #2 seed in the upcoming MASCAC playoffs by securing the tiebreaker over the Bears. Bridgewater will now be the #3 seed. MCLA will earn a bye into the semifinal round on Thursday evening at 7pm.
The Bears raced out to a 23 point lead at 43-20 with 6:28 until the break. MCLA responded with an up tempo offense and created some turnovers. They outscored Bridgewater 20-5 the remainder of the half to trim the deficit to 48-40 at intermission.
The Trailblazers continued the pressure right out of the locker room as they scored the first eight points of the second half to knot the score at 48 apiece. Ramon Viches collected six of the eight points in the run.
Bridgewater responded with a three pointer from Corey Connor on the next possession to regain the lead. Over the next ten minutes of action, the Bears would push out to a two possesion lead on numerous occasions, each time with a Trailblazer run to tie the score. Following a pair of Viches free throws with 6:57 to play, MCLA led for the first time of the night at 67-66.
The Bears Shawn Yard gave them the lead for keeps when his steal and layup pushed Bridgewater in front.
MCLA would stay within a bucket with 35 seconds remaining, however Bridgewater closed out the Trailblazers from the line with four free throws in the final seconds for the win.
MCLA's inspired effort without Greenberg was led by Tyrell Mosley's 16 points. Brendan Kordana chipped in with 14, while Viches ended the night with 13. Jamal Brown added 10 rebounds for the Trailblazers.
Coach Jamie Morrison commented on the night "Obviously not having Jon on senior day was tough, but I thought the guys showed a lot of heart and fortitude coming back from down 23. That starting group of Chris Cassels, Marvin Thompson, James Rivers, Adam Tarsa and Kris McLaughlin were prepared and got us off to a pretty good start, I was really proud of them. McLaughlin played well all night and Rivers knocked down a big shot for us as well. These seniors and everybody really has turned the program around, even though we came up short, its a pretty special day and a special group. They have done a tremendous job so far this season. We think Jon should be ready to go Thursday and we will bounce back and be ready to play."
For Bridgewater, the Bears were led by Judah Jackson's 16 points, while Yard finished with 15. Corey Ryser came off the bench to score 11 for the Bears.