MCLA wins Tri-State Shootout, Greenberg MOP
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Men's basketball, behind a terrific outing from tournament Most Outstanding Player Jon Greenberg, rallied to defeat RPI 85-76 and capture the 2010 Tri-State Shootout. With the win, MCLA improves to 4-2, while RPI falls to 4-2.
RPI held a 44-38 lead at halftime and seemed to be in control throughout the first half. After the Engineers DJ Blakemore knocked down the opening bucket of the second half, MCLA countered with a powerful run behind Greenberg. Trailing 46-38, The Trailblazers would go on a 20-5 run to take a seven point lead (58-51) with just under 13:00 remaining in the contest.
RPI would answer with a 9-1 spurt to knot the game at 60 apiece on a three pointer from Andrew Darst at the 10:48 mark. Once again, MCLA would rally, as the pending 11-0 run essentially put the game away. Greenberg started the run with a bucket inside, while Chris Harris delivered a key triple as well.
RPI would get no closer than six the rest of the way.
Greenberg's monster night finished with 27 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Harris finished with a season high 20 points. Jamal Brown ended the night with 10 points off the bench.
RPI was led by Darst's 15 points, while Matt Pooley and Travis Jones each had 12. Blakemore was also in double figures with 10.
MCLA outrebounded RPI 28-18 in the second half while outscoring them 28-8 in the paint during the half.
MCLA travels to Keene State on Tuesday for a non league match up with the Owls.
Southern Vermont holds off St. Joseph's (VT) in consolation game
North Adams, MA- In the consolation game of the 2010 Tri State Shootout, Southern Vermont College defeated St. Joseph's (VT) by a score of 76-65. With the win, SVC improves 5-3, while St. Joseph's falls to 2-7.
An up and down first half saw Southern Vermont take a 34-27 lead at the break. The Mountaineers would increase the lead early in the second half, taking a 12 point lead (46-34) with 14:09 to play. The Fighting Saints would battle back though and close the margin to five at 47-42 on a Dane Jobst lay up. SVC would respond though with a solid closing run to finish off St. Joseph's.
Lance Spratling led SVC with 18 points, while DeShawn Hamlet added a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Naaktgeboren also had 12 points in the win.
For St. Joseph's, Raheim Smalls led all scorers with 20 points and added 7 rebounds, while Jamie Rajda added 15 points and six rebounds. KJ Jackson added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Spratling and Smalls were named to the All Tournament team
2010 Tri-State Shootout All Tournament team:
Southern Vermont- Lance Spratling
St. Joseph's (VT)- Raheim Smalls
RPI- Matthew Pooley
MCLA- Chris Harris
MCLA- Jon Greenberg
Most Outstanding Player- Greenberg
2010 Tournament Champion- MCLA