Yearsley scores 24 points but Trailblazers fall to NYU 97-71

North Adams, MA- Visiting New York University got 23 points and 10 rebounds from Dom Cristiano as the Violets pulled away in the second half to defeat the MCLA Trailblazers 97-71 this afternoon in non conference action.  NYU improves to 2-1 on the season while the Trailblazers drop their second straight and are now 1-3 overall.

In the opening half, NYU never trailed.  They started by scoring the games first six points and Cristiano tallied 10 of their first 12 points to open up a six point lead.  MCLA would creep back into the game and eventually tie it on two occasions.  After NYU regained the lead at 21-17, they would go on an 11-2 spurt to take their largest first half lead at 32-19 with 7:39 left til halftime.  Ross Udine had the first four points in the spurt while Cristiano capped the spurt with a jumper.

The Violets still led by thirteen at 41-28 with just two minutes to go til the half when MCLA stormed back.  The Trailblazers would use a 10-2 run to close the half as Mike Demartinis and Noah Yearsley each scored five points in the spurt to close within 43-38.  MCLA shot just 32% from the floor while the Violets ended at 52%.

The second half was a different story however as NYU outscored the Trailblazers 54-33 to pull away.  Ethan Feldman had 14 of his game high 25 points in the closing half of play.  The Violets scored the first five points of the second half and never looked back.  With the score 51-44, NYU went on a game changing 11-1 run to pull away.  Feldman canned a triple to start the spurt and Cristiano had a thunderous dunk as the Violets were never challenged again.  MCLA never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way as NYU cruised home.

Feldman was 9-15 including a solid 6-9 showing from beyond the arc for his 25 points.  He added 5 boards and 3 assists in the win.  Cristiano was 11-14 from the floor for his 23 point night.  Point guard Ross Udine was outstanding dishing out 10 assists on the afternoon.  Jimmy Martinelli added 14 points and 10 rebounds for NYU.

The Violets outrebounded MCLA 49-29 and ended the game shooting a sizzling 56%.

MCLA was led by Yearsley who poured in a team best 24 points on 6-14 shooting.  He was a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe.  Antoine Montgomery scored 10 points in the second half and was the only other Trailblazer in double figures. 

MCLA shot just 32% from the floor.

The Trailblazers are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Sage.