Bird, Morris-Gray lead Men's Basketball to win over Rutgers-Camden 78-57

Amherst, MA- The high scoring Trailblazer duo of Hayden Bird and Dylan Morris-Gray combined for 59 points to lead MCLA past Rutgers-Camden 78-57 this afternoon in the consolation round of the Ken Wright Invitational hosted by Amherst College.  One week ago Bird set a school record with 12 triples and almost matched it this afternoon with 11.  He ended with a game best 33 points while Morris-Gray added 26 for the Trailblazers.

MCLA improves to 2-4 overall while Rutgers-Camden is still searching for their first win at 0-5.

The Trailblazers trailed early in this one as they fell behind 10-6.  They would use a quick 8-0 spurt to take their first lead at 14-10.  Later in the half with the score at 16-15 in favor of MCLA, they would go on a game breaking 13-0 spurt to increase the lead to 29-15.  MCLA would end the half on a Bird triple to take a sizable 43-24 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, Bird kept the visitors at bay.  He poured in 15 of his 33 points over the closing 20 minutes.  Morris-Gray was still effective, but he did most of his damage in the opening stanza.  Rutgers Camden never got closer than 14 in the second half as MCLA pulled away.

Bird ended with 33 points on 11-25 shooting.  All his field goals were from beyond the arc.  His 11 made threes are second all time only behind his effort against Rivier a week ago.  Morris-Gray stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points (9-20 FG's), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The MCLA defense held their opponent under 60 for the first time this season.  

The Trailblazers will wrap up play before Thanksgiving on Tuesday when they make the short trip to Williamstown to face cross town foe Williams at 7pm.