MCLA rally comes up just short at Trinity as they fall 76-72 to Bantams
Hartford, CT- The MCLA Men's basketball team returned to action following an eighteen day break to battle the Trinity Bantams in the opening round of the Trinity Holiday Invitational. The Trailblazers would find themselves in a big hole before a furious rally grabbed them the lead late in the second half, however the Bantams would make some key plays down the stretch to earn a hard fought 76-72 win over the Trailblazers.
With the win, the Bantams (8-2) move on to the championship game tomorrow against the winner of Endicott and Berkeley. MCLA (2-7) will face the loser in the consolation game.
The hosts jumped out to a quick double digit lead in the opening half and maintained it until MCLA finally cut into the deficit. Trinity lead 36-22 after Andrew Hurd converted a jumper with 5:11 left in the half. The Trailblazers would outscore the Bantams 13-5 to close within 41-35 at halftime.
The Bantams would immediately respond out of the locker room though using a 13-2 spurt of their own to take their largest lead of the half at 54-37 with 14:06 left to play. MCLA wouldn't go away though.
They immediately answered with a 13-2 run of their own to trim the margin to 56-50 after Paul Maurice was fouled shooting a three pointer. He made them all and MCLA was within six. Trinity responded with five straight points to jump out to an eleven point lead, but MCLA made a final surge to take their only lead of the half.
MCLA went on a 14-3 run capped off by Ruben DelRosario's triple to tie the game at 64 with 4:32 left. Trinity would regain the lead on Alex Conaway's layup, however when Careem Kirksey drilled a three on the ensuing possession, MCLA led 67-66 with 3:51 left.
Jaquann Starks was sent to the line for Trinity and made both to regain the lead, one in which the Bantams wouldn't relinquish. MCLA would have opportunities to tie the game late, but came up empty. Trinity would go 5-6 from the line in the final thirty seconds to secure the win.
Trinity was paced by Shay Ajayi's 14 points and 11 rebounds. Starks would finish with 11 points. George Papadeas came off the bench to add 13 points and Rick Naylor added 10.
MCLA was paced by Kenny Suggs' 16 points in his first game of the season. Maurice finished with 11, while Kirksey ended with 10. Kirksey scored all of his points in the closing period.
Both teams got to the charity stripe as they combined for 83 free throw attempts. Trinity held a commanding 43-28 edge on the glass. MCLA held Trinity to just 29% shooting in the contest.