MCLA knocks off previously unbeaten NEC 87-84

North Adams, MA- Chris Harris scored 21 of his game high 26 points in the second half as MCLA knocked off previously unbeaten New England College 87-84.  With the win, MCLA is now 5-3, while NEC falls to 8-1.

MCLA trailed 38-36 at the half as NEC's Troy Prather beat the buzzer for the two point lead.  NEC came out of the locker room and promptly jumped out to a 49-38 lead with 16:41 to play. 

MCLA forward Jon Greenberg made a layup and a pair of free throws cutting the margin to 49-42, before Harris got in on the act.  The junior would score MCLA's next 13 points as the Trailblazers battled back.  Pedro Ferrer knocked down an open three to give MCLA its first lead of the half at 58-56 at the 12:32 mark.

Following a NEC trey, MCLA would go on the decisive run to build their largest lead of the half.  With the score at 60-59 and MCLA on top, the Trailblazers would go on a 12-4 spurt and never look back.  NEC would get to within a pair with 30 seconds remaining, but could not get any closer.

MCLA held a commanding advantage at the foul line as they were 32-48 from the stripe while NEC was 12-21.  NEC was hot from downtown knocking down 12 of 22 attempts from behind the arc.

Aside from Harris, Brendan Kordana finished with 16 points, while Greenberg ended his night with a double double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.  Jamal Brown also had a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Pilgrims, they were led by Joe Faragher's 17 points, while Abdirahman Mohamed chipped in with 14.  Andrew MacDonald added 13 points.

MCLA held a commanding 47-28 edge on the glass.