#2 Trailblazers, #5 Falcons set to clash for MASCAC Championship tomorrow at 1pm
The second seeded MCLA Trailblazers will play host to fifth seeded Fitchburg State tomorrow at 1pm with the winner advancing to the NCAA tournament.
North Adams, MA- The second seeded MCLA Trailblazers will host the fifth seeded Fitchburg State Falcons tomorrow at 1pm in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's basketball championship game. MCLA enters the final fresh off a convincing win over #3 seed Salem State on Thursday night. The Falcons have won consecutive road games, at #4 Bridgewater and at #1 Westfield State, to reach the final. The winner will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.
The Trailblazers are seeking their first MASCAC tournament championship and subsequent NCAA tournament appearance since the 1989-90 season. MCLA did take home a share of the MASCAC regular season title in 1998-1999, however was upended in the playoffs. Fitchburg State is seeking their first ever tournament title.
The squads split their season series in 2013 with each team holding serve on their home court. MCLA defeated Fitchburg 66-60 back on January 19th, while the Falcons returned the favor in stopping the Trailblazers 65-57 on February 12th.
MCLA is under the direction of head coach Jamie Morrison and enters the final with a mark of 14-12. The Trailblazers are led by the duo of John Jones and Paul Maurice. Jones, who was named first team All MASCAC, led all scorers with 23 points in the semifinal victory. Maurice was earlier named the conference's rookie of the year. He was the only other player in double figures in the win over Salem State.
The Falcons are led by head coach Derek Shell. His troops have won seven of their last nine outings, and are coming in with impressive road wins at Bridgewater and top seeded Westfield State. Fitchburg is led by All Conference center Zach Valliere. The senior leads the team in scoring at just over 14 ppg. The Falcons are a dangerous offensive club with three other players, Tom Henneberry, Mike Ingram-Rubin, and Brandon Selby, all averaging double figures. Ingram-Rubin torched Westfield State with 24 points in the semifinal victory.
The winner of the rubber match will advance to the NCAA tournament. Pairings for the NCAA tournament will be released Monday around Noon.