Men’s Basketball hangs on against Fitchburg State, 66-64

North Adams, MA- Sophomore JoJo Garcia scored 14 points to lead MCLA to a key 66-64 MASCAC victory over Fitchburg State tonight at the Amsler Campus Center. With the win the Trailblazers snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 7-11 (3-5 MASCAC), while the Falcons fall to 7-11 (2-5 MASCAC).

Fitchburg State would jump out to an early 13-3 lead forcing an MCLA time out less than three minutes into the contest.

Coming out of the timeout the Trailblazers would settle down and go on a 16-4 run capped off by a Kumar Lewis 3-pointer to go put MCLA up 19-17 with just under twelve minutes to play in the half.

The Trailblazers would finish the half strong and go into the locker room up 40-34.

A pair of 3-pointers by Korey Greenland would give MCLA their largest lead 46-34 just two minutes onto the second half.

The Falcons would close the gap to 51-46 after an old fashioned 3-point play by Tajahn Joyner with 13:21 left to play. However, a minute and a half later, a Noah Yearsley 3-pointer would extend the Trailblazer lead again to 57-46.

With just under 10 minutes to play and MCLA ahead 61-51, Fitchburg State buckled down defensively and outscored the hosts 11-1 to tie the game 62-62 after a Joyner free throw with 2:40 left.

After a pair of free throws by Garcia and one by Yearsley, the Trailbalzers led 65-62 with a minute and half left. With 42 seconds left Fitchburg State's Dayne Allen would come up with a huge rebound and putback after a missed free throw to cut the lead to 65-64.

Up by the same score with just 17 seconds to go, MCLA would force a Falcon turnover and get a key block by Reece Racette on the defensive end, as well two more Garcia free throws in the final seconds to secure the win, 66-64.

Fitchburg State's Tajahn Joyner would lead all scorers with 24 points. Tyrone Manderson and Matthew Tanis each chipped in 9 points for the Falcons.

MCLA was led by JoJo Garcia who finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Korey Greenland hit four three pointers and finished with 13 points. Noah Yearsley finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Fitchburg State will be back in action on Saturday at noon when they host MASCAC foe Framingham State. MCLA will next visit the Albany College of Pharmacy on Sunday for a nonconference tilt beginning at 12pm.