Men's Basketball earns third seed with Senior Day win over Framingham State 68-54

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Men's Basketball outscored visiting Framingham State 36-21 in the second half to break open a close game as they cruised past the Rams 68-54 on Senior Day in the Amsler Campus Center.  The game marked the regular season MASCAC finale for both teams.  With the win, MCLA (9-15, 6-6 MASCAC) will be the third seed in next week's MASCAC championships and will host the same Rams on Tuesday night at 6pm.  Framingham State earned the sixth seed into the postseason tournament via tiebreaker over the Worcester State Lancers. 

Prior to the start of the contest, MCLA honored their seniors.  Playing their final regular season home game this afternoon were Keiland Cross, Adam Conquest, and Joe Wiggins.

Conquest had a big day collecting a double double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Noah Yearsley had a game best 15 points while Ki-Shawn Monroe added 10 points and 6 assists.

Both teams traded punches in the first half that was well played.  The Rams would hold a slim 33-32 edge at the break, but then went ice cold to start the second half of play.  MCLA held the visitors to just five points over the opening 12:30 minutes of the second half.  They turned the slim deficit into a 48-38 lead behind strong play from Monroe and Conquest.  The Trailblazers were never seriously threatened again as they increased the lead to as many as 22 points late in the half before settling on the final score.

Conquest was 6-10 from the floor for his 14 point night.  Yearlsey was also 6-10, but connected on three shots from beyond the arc.  Monroe facilitated the offense all night long with his 6 assists in 26 minutes of action.

The Trailblazers held a commanding 44-26 edge off the glass and held the Rams to just 27% shooting in the final 20 minutes of play.  MCLA shot the ball well from deep as they went 9-20 from three point range in the win.

Framingham State was paced by Manny Payton's team best 15 point night, however only two came in the second half of play.  Charles Valbrun added 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Rams.  

The Trailblazers swept the season series from the Rams, with both wins coming by double digits.  The winner of Tuesday night's matchup will head to second seeded Bridgewater State on Thursday night.