MCLA pushes past Fitchburg 66-60, move to 5-0 in MASCAC
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers rallied past the visiting Fitchburg State Falcons 66-60 this afternoon, in the process maintaining their unbeaten record in the MASCAC improving to 5-0. The Trailblazers victory marked their fifth straight, all in league play, in moving to 8-9 overall, and a perfect 5-0 in the MASCAC. The Falcons drop to 8-7 overall, and 1-4 in conference play.
The game was tight throughout as no team led by more than eight points. Both teams had advantages in the closing half, however it was MCLA that made some key plays down the stretch to earn the hard fought victory.
After MCLA tied the game at 55 on a Paul Maurice three pointer with 3:41 left, Fitchburg responded with a conventional three point play from Tom Henneberry to go back up three. After trading baskets and the score at 60-57 in favor of Fitchburg, MCLA would close the game by scoring the final nine points.
Trailblazer captain Vernon Cross converted consecutive drives to the basket to put MCLA up one at 61-60 with 1:24 left to play. On the ensuing possession, the Falcons came up empty on a pair of Brandon Selby attempts, one of which was blocked by Richard Johnson. After Johnson grabbed the rebound, the Falcons were forced to foul.
The senior would knock down the first and miss the second. A hustling Johnson tracked down the loose ball as MCLA retained possession with just 19 seconds left holding a three point lead. Another Fitchburg foul sent John Jones to the line and he converted both ends to stretch out to a 65-60 advantage. Another miss by the Falcons secured the win for MCLA who added a free throw late to provide the final margin.
The first half saw back and forth action. Each team held the lead on a few occasions and with the score at 24-18 in favor of Fitchburg with 5:20 remaining, the Trailblazers made a run to seize control heading into halftime. MCLA outscored Fitchburg 15-4 to close out the half. Maurice buried a pair of three's in the run and Cross also hit one. Trailblazer Ramon Viches' tip in off a Jones jumper at the buzzer gave MCLA a 33-28 lead at halftime.
Henneberry led Fitchburg with a game high 20 points on 8-14 shooting. He was the only Falcon in double figures. Zach Valliere was just 1-8 from the floor, but did grab a game best 11 boards. The Falcons shot just 36% and were forced into 26 turnovers.
MCLA placed three players in double figures led by Cross' 16 points. Maurice finished with 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and grabbed 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Jones would end the night with 12 points and 9 boards.
MCLA held a decisive edge from the free throw line attempting 16 more free throws than the visitors, however they went 14-26 from the stripe. Fitchburg was just 7-10 from the line.
MCLA will look to stay atop the MASCAC on Wednesday when they travel to Bridgewater State.