MCLA Men drop MASCAC opener to Bridgewater State 83-60

Bridgewater, MA- The host Bridgewater State Bears raced out to a 10-1 advantage in the opening minutes and cruised from there in defeating the MCLA Trailblazer Men's basketball team 83-60 in the MASCAC opener for both clubs.  The Bears recieved a game high 25 points from Brendan Monteiro and 20 points and 11 rebounds from Michael Lofton as they improved to 6-7 overall (1-0 MASCAC).  

The Trailblazers drop their ninth straight decision and are at 2-10 (1-0 MASCAC).

Lofton and Monteiro led the early charge as the Bears extended the early 10-1 lead out to 27-7 after a Barrett Murphy jumper.  MCLA cut the lead to 16 points on a Jeremic Bennett jumper in the lane to make it 33-17, however the Bears cruised into halftime leading 38-23.

MCLA quickly cut the margin to 13 out of the locker room on a Ramon Viches jumper, but Bridgewater scored the next eight points capped by a Brian Grossman triple to extend back out to a 21 point lead.  

The lead would grow to as many as 27 points and MCLA never got within 20 of the Bears the rest of the way.

Bridgewater shot 57% from the floor in both halves and forced 22 Trailblazer turnovers.

Monteiro was 9-13 from the floor and a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe for his 25 points.  Lofton was tough to handle all night long converting 8-11 field goal attempts.  He added 5 steals to his double double.  Kyle Gibson also had a solid night mirroring Lofton as he was also 8-11 from the floor.  He ended his night with 18 points.

MCLA was paced by Bennett's 13 points.  John Jones, the MASCAC's leading scorer, finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.  Viches ended his night with 10 points.

The Trailblazers shot just 39% from the floor.

MCLA is back in action on Saturday night when they battle Worcester State at 7pm.