Harris nets 1,000th point, but MCLA falls to RPI in Tri-State Shootout 98-96

Bennington, VT- MCLA's Chris Harris notched his 1,000th career point, however the Trailblazers could not keep up with RPI dropping a 98-96 decision in the opening game of the Tri-State Shootout hosted by Southern Vermont College.  MCLA drops to 1-5 while RPI moves to 2-3 on the season.

Harris would collect his milestone bucket early in the second half.  After MCLA built a 49-44 lead at the break, RPI trimmed the margin to one at 51-50 following a Redon Qello layup.  Harris would go to work, needing just 3 points to pass the mark.  His jumper pushed the lead to 3 at 53-50 and then a few possessions later, he would convert a layup for the milestone marker with 15:56 to play.

The basket seemed to stall MCLA as RPI would answer with a game changing spurt.  With the score knotted at 59, RPI would go on a 10-2 run to lead by eight at 69-61 with 13:12 to play. 

With the lead hovering between four and seven over the next few minutes and RPI leading 76-69, MCLA would mount a closing run.  A 9-2 run would tie the score at 78.   Trailblazer Michael Young would ignite the spurt scoring six points sandwiched around a Tyrell Mosley triple. 

The run would continue as Tyriq Rochester scored six straight points, the last four on a pair of dunks, to give MCLA an 84-78 lead with 6:13 left.  RPI would once again have an answer.

An 11-0 RPI run would switch momentum once again turning the deficit into an 89-84 RPI lead.  The lead proved too much for MCLA as they got within a point on Young layup with 18 seconds left, but following a Matt Pooley free throw pushed the lead to two, MCLA's Rochester missed at the buzzer giving RPI a hard fought victory.

Young, seeing his first action of the year, finished with a game high 21 points on 7-10 shooting.  Rochester finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Harris ended with 12 points, but also contributed 7 steals.  Mosley finished with 10 points.

For RPI, Qello ended his night with 20 points on 9-12 shooting.  Brendan Farley finished with 14 points, including four from beyond the arc.  Matt Dixon was next with 13 points, while Daniel Martin finished with 10.

MCLA committed a season high 30 turnovers, but RPI chipped in with 27. 

MCLA awaits the loser of the nightcap between the hosts, SVC, and St. Joseph's (VT) tomorrow at 2pm.  RPI will await the winner.