MCLA defense stifles Westfield, improve to 3-0 in MASCAC

Westfield, MA- The MCLA Men's basketball team went on the road to challenge MASCAC rival Westfield State and the Trailblazers came back with a statement victory.  The Trailblazers held the Owls, the preseason MASCAC favorites, to just 21% shooting as they blitzed Westfield defeating them 64-43 Tuesday night.  With the win, MCLA remains perfect in league play at 3-0 while improving to 6-9 overall.  The Owls drop to 2-2 in MASCAC play and 12-4 overall.

After starting the season at 3-9, MCLA has ripped off three straight conference wins including consecutive road tilts at Worcester and Westfield.  The win over the Owls also avenged a pair of narrow losses from a year ago. 

MCLA took command early in the opening half as Westfield struggled from the floor.  Trailblazer forward Ramon Viches canned consecutive three pointers to fuel a 12-2 MCLA run pushing the Trailblazers out to a 22-8 lead.  Westfield never got within ten points from there and trailed at the half 29-17.  MCLA held the Owls to just 7 field goals in the opening period, shooting a frigid  %.  Westfield was just as cold from the free throw line in the opening period going just 3-12. 

In the second period, MCLA quickly erased any Westfield thoughts of a comeback.  The Trailblazers used a 13-3 spurt to open the half jumping out to an insurmountable 42-20 lead with 13:23 to play.  The MCLA lead would grow to as many as 25 before settling on the final score.  The Owls never got closer than 18 points in the second half.

The MCLA defense clamped down on the Owls' leading scorer Lee Vazquez, harassing him into a 4-19 shooting performance.  He did finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Westfield.  Matt Devine chipped in with 8 points, 12 boards, and 6 blocks. 

The Trailblazers were led by Viches' 13 points.  He was 5-8 from the floor, including 3-6 from downtown.  John Jones overcame early foul trouble to finish with 12 points and 8 rebounds.

The Trailblazers will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday night when they host Framingham State at 7:30.