MCLA clamps down on Salem State, will host championship game Saturday

North Adams, MA- The second seeded MCLA Trailblazers swarmed the third seeded Salem State Vikings in the second half as they pulled away for a convincing 77-59 victory in the semifinals of the MASCAC championships.  With the win, the Trailblazers will now host the MASCAC championship game on Saturday.  Salem ends their season at 16-11.

MCLA will host Fitchburg State on Saturday.  The Falcons defeated the top seeded Westfield State Owls 68-61 in Westfield this evening.  The Trailblazers and Falcons split the season series with each team winning on their home court.

John Jones had a game high 23 points to lead MCLA on 8-12 shooting.  Paul Maurice was the only other Trailblazer in double figures finishing with 11 points.  The Trailblazers doubled up Salem in the second half (40-20) and held the Vikings to just 7-35 shooting (20%) in the decisive half. 

MCLA trailed 39-37 at halftime, but after a few adjustments, clamped down on the visitors.  Trailblazer Bilal Shabazz' drive tied the score at 39, but Salem's Bryan Ortiz drilled a three to put the Vikings ahead 42-39 with 18:46 left to play.  That's where the Vikings went ice cold.  Over the next eleven minutes, Salem could only muster a free throw.  The dry spell allowed MCLA to go on a 18-1 run that changed the course of the game.

A Maurice three started the run and a Jones layup gave MCLA the lead for good at the 17:49 mark.  Another triple from Maurice gave the Trailblazers a five point lead.  Salem meanwhile, couldn't buy a basket.  At one point, they missed 17 consecutive shots as MCLA steadily built their lead until Justin Nieves finally connected in the paint.  By that time, MCLA led 57-45 with under eight to play.

Salem had hope after Hanell Valez drained his second three pointer of the night to pull the Vikings within nine at 57-48, however MCLA would respond with an 8-2 to essentially put the game out of reach.  The Vikings would get no closer than 14 the rest of the way and MCLA actually led by as many as 20 points late in the contest. 

Salem State got off to a fast start jumping out to a 12-3 lead just four minutes into the contest.  MCLA would crawl back into the contest behind Jones.  He would score 13 straight points in a 3:30 stretch to pull MCLA within four at 20-16.  After Ruben DelRosario drained a pair at the charity stripe, MCLA trailed by just a pair but the Vikings always had an answer.

SSU's Trey Morin drilled a three from the top of the circle and Hamed Akanni hit one of two at the line to extend the Viking lead back to six at 24-18.  MCLA would trim the deficit to a pair of two occasions, only to see Salem respond.  The Trailblazers would finally knot the score with just 2:59 left until halftime when freshman Anthony Barbosa completed a rare four point play, making in 32-32.  MCLA would take their only lead of the half at 36-34 on a Paul Maurice layup, however the Vikings would outscore MCLA 5-1 to close out the half making it 39-37 in favor of Salem State at halftime. 

The Vikings were paced by Tavone Wynder's 11 points.  Velez would finish with  10 points, but only three after halftime.  Salem was hurt by 22 turnovers and only shot 29% for the game (20-67).

The Trailblazers were aided by a strong showing at the free throw line.  After only shooting 61% in the regular season, MCLA connected on 23-27 shots from the stripe (85%).  The hosts also overcame a rough start on the glass to hold a slim 41-39 edge in rebounding.