Furious MCLA rally comes up short, win streak snapped at BSU 89-80

Bridgewater, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers fell behind host Bridgewater State University by 22 points late in the second half before posting a furious rally.  The visitors got to within five, but couldn't get over the hump as they fell to MASCAC foe Bridgewater State 89-80 this evening in Men's basketball action.

The Trailblazers see their five game winning streak snapped as they fall to 8-10 overall and 5-1 in conference play.  The Bears improve to 3-3 in the MASCAC, 8-9 overall.

After a back and forth first half in which the Bears scored the final eight points of the half to tie the score at 38 at intermission, the hosts took control in the second half.  With the score tied at 51 all, Bridgewater would go on 12-2 run to take a 63-53 lead on a Michael Lofton jumper in the lane.

MCLA would respond with back to back baskets to cut the margin to six before the Bears would go on another powerful run, this one a 16-0 spurt that gave the hosts what appeared to be an insurmountable 79-57 lead with just 4:42 remaining.

The Trailblazers employed full court pressure and quickly went on an 11-0 run in the next minute to climb back in the game.  Paul Maurice drained back to back three pointers, the last of which resulted in a four point play to close MCLA to 79-68 with 3:39 left.

After Bridgewater stretched back out to a thirteen point lead at 81-68, MCLA would again use their pressure to create turnovers, and as a result they outscored Bridgewater 10-3 to get within six at 84-78 with just 1:48 on the clock.  Bridgewater got free throws from Justin Clark and Brendan Monteiro sandwiched around a defensive stop to go up eight points, before Lee Turner's lay in got MCLA back within six with just 47 ticks left.

Bridgewater finally kept the ball away from MCLA forcing them to foul.  Shawn Yard connected on a pair of free throws to essentially put the game out of reach and in the process hand MCLA their first MASCAC loss of the season.

MCLA was paced by Maurice's team high 19 points including four shots from beyond the arc before fouling out.  He added 4 steals.  John Jones chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while adding 6 assists.  Others in double figures were Ramon Viches with 13 and Vernon Cross with 10.

The Bears were led by Monteiro's game high 27 points on 10-12 shooting.  Anthony Fortes had a strong second half finishing with 14 before he fouled out.  Yard would chip in with 12 points, 12 assists, and 7 steals.

MCLA was ultimately doomed by 27 turnovers which led to 37 Bridgewater points.

The Trailblazers resume MASCAC play on Tuesday night when they travel to Salem State for a 7:30 tip off.