Box Score
NORTH ADAMS - The MCLA men's Basketball held on to defeat MASCAC rival Westfield State 75-69 Tuesday night at the Amsler Campus Center. MCLA scored the last 10 points to earn its first MASCAC victory while improving to 7-8 overall.
MCLA opened the game strong scoring the first six points of the contest. Sophomore guard Chris Harris (Dorchester, MA) and junior Jon Greenberg (Antwerp, Belguim) keyed the spurt. The Owls battled back to tie the game early at 7 apiece on a Jesse Benoit layup.
The Trailblazers went on a 14-4 run to take a 23-11 advantage at the 8:44 mark. Senior Mike Perreault (Whitinsville, MA) sparked the rally, burying consecutive three pointers to start the run. Westfield chippped away at the lead using a 10-2 run over the last three minutes of the half to pull within three at 40-37.
MCLA maintained the lead but could not stretch it in the opening minutes of the second half. The Owls eventually pulled even at the 12:03 mark on a three pointer from Joe DiCruttalo tying the game at 47 all.
The teams then traded leads six times with neither team holding more than a four point advantage until the final few minutes.
Westfield take a three point lead 67-64 on a conventional three point play from Lee Vazquez. After MCLA's Harris knocked in a free throw, the Owls Vazquez buried another jumper with 1:38 remaining,
giving Westfield a 69-65 edge.
MCLA closed the game on it 10-0 run over the final 1:26 as consecutive baskets from Harris pulled the Trailblazers even at 69. Westfield appeared poised to take the lead, but Greenberg got a hand on Ryan DeLosa's short jumper with 36 seconds remaining, leading to an Owl foul on Asa Abbott. The foul would send Perreault to the line and the senior calmly drained both free throws.
Vazquez took the inbounds the length of the court only to have Harris make a great block as MCLA grabbed the loose ball. With the Owls forced to foul, Perreault knocked them both down and MCLA led 73-69 with 14 seconds remaining.
Junior Ben Cuprill (Troy, NY) stole the ball on Westfield's final possesion before being fouled to provide the final margin.
The Trailblazers were led by Greenberg who finished with 21points and 10 boards. Perreault and Harris each netted 16.
The Owls were led by Nate Pollard who finished with 18 points. Dicruttalo finished with 15 points and 8 assists. Matt Devine added 7 blocks for Westfield.