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Posted: Feb 22, 2024

Men’s Basketball Finish Season with Loss to Worcester State in MASCAC Semifinal

Jake Bluestein scored nine points, all from deep in MCLA's semifinal loss to Worcester.
Jake Bluestein scored nine points, all from deep in MCLA's semifinal loss to Worcester.
Video Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. – The MCLA Men's Basketball season came to a close this evening in the semifinal round of the MASCAC playoffs. The Trailblazers dropped a 76-52 decision to the top-seeded Worcester State. Quentin Gittens finished with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds for MCLA, but the Lancers had four players finish with double-digit point tallies to earn a matchup with Bridgewater State in the finals on Saturday.

THE BASICS:

  • Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
  • Score: MCLA 52, Worcester State 76
  • Records: MCLA Trailblazers 14-12 (MASCAC 7-5) | Worcester State Lancers 17-9 (MASCAC 10-2)

HOW IT WENT DOWN

  • The game started with some give-and-take as the teams felt each other out. There were three ties and six lead changes in the first five minutes of play. Worcester State would take a lead that they wouldn't relinquish with 15:29 to go in the first half on a three-pointer by Sam Dion.
  • The Trailblazers wouldn't go away without a fight; however, they kept the game at a single-possession difference for most of the first half, powered by 13 first-half points from Quentin Gittens. A three from Jake Bluestein with 5:47 on the first half clock cut the Lancers' lead to a single point before the hosts responded with an 11-6 run to close out the half and took a 38-32 edge into the half.
  • Worcester made some adjustments at half-time and slowly built up a 10-point lead as the midpoint of the second half came and went. A jumper by Dion with 9:20 left in regulation kicked off a 22-3 run for the Lancers to salt the game away.
  • Gittens finished with his 14th double-double of the season, dropping 23 points and pulling down 13 boards, leading all players in both categories.
  • Bluestein contributed nine points in 17 minutes off the bench, with all nine points coming from beyond the arc.
  • Worcester State had a quartet of players finish with double-digit point totals, led by 18 points each from Brandon Goris and Ryan Rubenskas. Dion finished the game with 16 points, while Aaron Nkrumah had a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • Field Goals / %: MCLA 21-67 / 31.3%, WSU 28-61 / 45.9%
  • 3 Points / %: MCLA 6-24 / 25%, WSU 4-22 / 18.2%
  • Free Throw / %: MCLA 4-6 / 66.7%, WSU 16-2 / 80%
  • Rebounds: MCLA 33, WSU 46
  • Points off Turnovers: MCLA 18, WSU 33
  • Second Chance Points: MCLA 2, WSU 7
  • Points in the Paint: MCLA 20, WSU 38
  • Bench Points: MCLA 16, WSU 9

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