Men's Basketball Falls to MCLA in OT, 85-80

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The MCLA Men's basketball team earned a key MASCAC victory, outlasting the visiting Bridgewater State Bears 85-80 in overtime this evening in the James T. Amsler Campus Center.

The win by MCLA caused a four way tie atop the league standings as the Trailblazers moved to 4-2 in conference play (7-12 overall), joining the Bears, Salem State, and Westfield State with identical conference marks.  Bridgewater is 9-8 overall.

In overtime, Bridgewater's Corey Ryser connected on a three to give the Bears a 71-68 lead.  MCLA's Jamal Brown, who scored a game high 26 points, would quickly answer converting a conventional three point play to tie the game.  The Trailblazers would score the next five points which began with a Tyrell Mosley three and culminated by another Brown drive putting MCLA ahead 76-71.

The Bears did trim the margin to four at 80-76, but when forced to foul, the hosts made them pay by converting at the line to keep Bridgewater at bay.

MCLA led throughout most of the game until Bridgewater took their first lead with just 5:45 to play in regulation at 57-56 after a pair of Samuel Johnson free throws.  Bridgewater would extend the lead to five points (68-63) with just 1:35 to play after Ryser knocked home a pair from the stripe.  MCLA would rally though as Vernon Cross connected on a triple on the next possession trimming the deficit to 68-66.

After Anthony Fortes missed on the other end for Bridgewater, Brown converted a turn-around jumper with 19 seconds remaining to tie the game at 68.  Bridgewater's Michael Lofton's jumper at the end of regulation drew front iron and sent the game into overtime.

The opening half saw MCLA jump out quickly scoring the game's first eleven points.  The Trailblazers Michael Young connected on a pair of three pointers, while Mosley and Brown contributed in the run.  The lead grew to as many as 14 (19-5) with 13:54 remaining before Bridgewater clawed their way back into the game.

The Bears used a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to just four at 19-15. Fortes and Lofton ignited the spurt for Bridgewater.  MCLA had the answer again, sprinting back out to a 34-22 lead with just 3:26 left in the half.  Bridgewater would clamp down and hold MCLA scoreless the rest of the way. Bridgewater used an 8-0 run to close the half with MCLA leading 34-30 at the break.

The Bears were led by Fortes' team high 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Lofton came off the bench to score 19.  Ryser would finish with 15 points for the Bears.  Bridgewater shot 47% from the floor in the game.

MCLA was led by Brown's strong effort.  The senior was 10-15 from the floor and completed the double double by adding a game-high 10 boards. Young added 14 points and 7 assists, while Cross came off the bench to chip in with 14.  The Trailblazers received a strong performance from reserve Bilal Shabazz as well as he added 10 points.

MCLA is off until next Tuesday when they host MASCAC foe Salem State at 7:30 PM.  Bridgewater entertains conference rival Fitchburg State on Saturday afternoon at four.