Trailblazers fall at buzzer to Castleton 83-81

North Adams, MA- Castleton State's Carnelius Green stole the ball with two seconds left and converted a layup at the buzzer in leading the Spartans past the MCLA Trailblazers 83-81 in a hard fought game in North Adams.  Castleton improves to 3-3 overall, while MCLA drops to 2-7.

MCLA never led in the contest, however they finally tied the game at 81 following a transition layup off of a John Jones block on the defensive end with 43 seconds to play.  The Spartans Green then got tied up by MCLA's Tyshawn McGee, giving the Trailblazers a chance to take the final shot.

Following a Trailblazer timeout, Ruben DelRosario was pressured thirty feet from the basket and attempted to dribble out of trouble.  With time ticking away, he attempted to pull the ball out, however Green knocked it loose and gained possession in the Spartan end.  Green took two dribbles and narrowly beat the buzzer with the game winning bucket.

Castleton was in complete control and led by 16 points at 59-43 after a Rob Coluitti triple with fourteen minutes to play.  MCLA slowly began chipping away at the lead, using a 10-0 run capped off by an Anthony Barbosa three pointer, closing the gap to 59-53 with 11:42 remaining.  Castleton would once again answer though, moving back out to a double digit lead at 72-62 before MCLA made the closing run.

MCLA used an 11-4 spurt to get within three points on a pair of Jones free throws with three minutes left to play.  Ramon Viches would score five straight points for the Trailblazers to pull within one, and after Green moved the lead back to three points, MCLA finally tied it at 81 setting up the frantic final minute.

MCLA never led in the opening half either as Castleton led by as many as nine points on three different occasions.  Every time the Trailblazers would slice into the Spartan lead, Castleton would answer.  MCLA closed to within a pair at 35-33 on a John Jones putback of his own miss with 2:24 left til halftime, however the Spartans outscored MCLA 7-2 in the final two minutes to grab a 42-35 halftime lead.

Castleton's Green finished with a team best 22 points on 10-11 shooting.  Logan White and Chad Copeland each had 14 points, while Coluitti ended his night with 11.  The Spartans shot 47% from the floor.

MCLA's Jones was outstanding notching game highs of 22 points and 18 rebounds.  He added a game best 5 assists too.  Barbosa finished with a career high 17 points, while DelRosario and Viches each had 13.  The Trailblazers shot 44% from the floor.

MCLA committed 18 turnovers compared to 14 for Castleton.  The Trailblazers held a 47-38 edge off the glass, including grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.

The Trailblazers are off until the New Year.