Men’s Basketball stumbles at NVU Johnson, 92-75

North Adams, MA- MCLA's Dylan Morris-Gray hit six 3-pointers and scored 26 points tonight but the Trailblazers fell to NVU Johnson 92-75 in nonconference action. With the win the Badgers improve to 4-1 while the Trailblazers fall to 1-3.

MCLA came out hot sprinting out to an early 15-6 lead, but a Mohammed Semega steal, and dunk would give NVU Johnson the lead at 23-21. The Trailblazers would trail by as many as six but the visitors would end the half on a 16-7 run to grab a 44-42 advantage heading into the locker room.

NVU Johnson would begin the half taking advantage of several MCLA turnovers and go on a 9-0 run to take a 61-50 lead just five minutes into the second half. The Trailblazers would respond with an 8-0 run of their own when two Reece Racette free throws trimmed the Badger lead to just 3 with 13:33 left.

NVU Johnson would push back again and at the 7:11 mark a Raymond Baka free throw would put the home side up 72-61.

A Korey Greenland jumper with just over five minutes to play would trim the deficit to 76-70 but MCLA would get no closer and the Badgers would close out the game on a 16-5 run to earn the 92-75 victory.

NVU Johnson was led by Yeskin Walker Williams who scored 27 points on 12 of 13 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, Mohammed Semega who scored 22 points fas well as collecting nine rebounds and Raymond Baka who scored 18.

MCLA was paced by Morris-Gray with 26 points, Noah Yearsley who scored 18 and Reece Racette who chipped in 10. Mamadou Diallo grabbed nine boards for the Trailblazers as well.

The Badgers shot an impressive 55.9% from the field and outscored the Trailblazers 62-16 in the paint. The Trailblazers shot just 35.8% from the field including 13-34 from beyond the arc.

Both teams will take the court again this weekend for Friday-Saturday tournaments. NVU Johnson will participate in the Granite City Classic at Castleton University while MCLA will make the short trek to Williams College for the Purple and Gold Classic.