Demartinis, Monroe spark 80-72 win over Worcester State

North Adams, MA- MCLA's Mike Demartinis scored 27 points to lead the Trailblazers to a hard fought 80-72 victory over the visiting Worcester State Lancers this afternoon in men's basketball action.  The Trailblazers improve to 6-15 on the season and are now 2-7 in the conference.  The Lancers drop to 11-11 overall and sit at 4-5 in league play.

The Lancers led 37-34 at halftime but MCLA never went away as the game featured 13 lead changes and 10 ties.  With the score at 67-66 in favor of WSU with just three minutes remaining, MCLA came back once again.  Demartinis started the late game run with a drive to the hoop to give MCLA the lead.  Following a stop, Ki-Shawn Monroe would hit a pull up jumper to make it 70-67 in favor of the hosts.

After WSU's Shaun McCarthy made a layup on the other end, Quran Davis drilled the biggest shot of the afternoon as his three put MCLA up 73-69 with just 1:58 left.  Worcester's Chris Cardoso, who also had a game best 27 point night, converted a deep three to pull the Lancers within one at 73-72 with a minute left, but Demartinis was fouled and calmly sank both FT's to extend the lead.  Following a turnover and forced to foul, the Trailblazers' Davis made one of two and the Lancers never scored again.  MCLA would score the final seven points to preserve the victory.

Demartinis shot 9-22 from the floor and a perfect 8-8 from the line for his 27 point night.  Davis ended with 12 points on 4-10 shooting.  Monroe scored only 8 points, but added 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals for the Trailblazers.  Hayden Bird chipped in with 10 points.

MCLA shot 41% from the field in the win and overcame 15 turnovers.

For the Lancers, Cardoso was outstanding.  He went 10-17 from the floor and added 6 rebounds.  Tyler Dion added 16 points for WSU.  Cal Howes added 11 points in defeat.

MCLA is back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Fitchburg State.