MCLA, RPI to meet in Shootout finals

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Men's basketball team defeated the College of St. Joseph's (VT) 93-71 in the Tri State Shootout.  The Trailblazers placed four players in double figures.  Leading the way were Jamal Brown and Chris Harris who collected double doubles.  MCLA will face RPI tomorrow at 3:30.  RPI defeated Southern Vermont in overtime.

MCLA took command early in the first half opening up a 31-15 lead with 7:49 remaining til the break.  St. Joseph would battle back to within seven with a 12-4 run making the score 35-28.  The Trailblazers would turn up the pressure and respond with a 19-6 burst the rest of the half to take a commanding 54-34 lead at intermission.

A sloppy second half saw St. Joseph's cut the lead to nine of two occasions, but the hosts would eventually regroup and pull away.

Greenberg finished with a game high 19 points, while Brown added 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Chris Harris had his best night of the early season with a season high 14 points and 10 boards.  Brendan Kordana chipped in with 12.

For the Fighting Saints, five players reached double figures led by Brendan Rios with 15.  K Jay Jackson had 14 points and 4 blocks before fouling out.  Also in double figures were Dane Jobst (12), Raheim Smalls (12), and Jamie Rajda (10). 

MCLA shot 52% for the game. 

Game One- RPI-96   SVC-92  F/OT 

North Adams, MA- The RPI Engineers opened the 2010 Tri-State Shootout with a 96-92 overtime win over Southern Vermont Mountaineers.  The Engineers await the winner of MCLA and St. Joseph's (VT) tomorrow at 3:30pm, while Southern Vermont will play in the consolation game at 1:30. 

RPI's Jeremy Bull led his team with 24 points, while Matthew Pooley (15), Travis Jones (13), Mike Hammond (11), and Jeremy Moylan (10) joined him in double figures. 

Southern Vermont was led Taeshon Johnson's 26 points, while Ben Naaktgeboren added 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  Lance Spratling added 14 points, while Avery Mitchell had 12 and Jorge Jorge had 10.

RPI tied the game with 28 seconds left in regulation when Jamie Zajac knocked home a pair of free throws to knot the game at 81 apiece.  In overtime, RPI wore down SVC as the Mountaineers had five players, including four starters, foul out. 

RPI went 34-45 from the charity stripe in the win.

Saturday Schedule:
1:30- St. Joseph's (VT) vs. Southern Vermont
3:30- RPI vs. MCLA