MCLA Men snap skid with MASCAC win over Worcester State 83-77
Jeremic Bennett scored a team best 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the Trailblazers win over Worcester State
Worcester, MA- The MCLA Men's basketball was in dire need of a spark in order to snap a nine game losing streak. The Trailblazers put together a solid second half and placed four players in double figures as they defeated the Worcester State Lancers 83-77 in MASCAC action. With the win, MCLA improves its overall mark to 3-10, while evening their MASCAC slate at 1-1. The Lancers fall to 3-10 overall, 0-1 in conference play.
Jeremic Bennett paced the victors with 19 points and 7 rebounds. John Jones overcame first half foul trouble to finish with 16 points. Ramon Viches and Ruben DelRosario chipped in with 15 and 13 respectively.
Worcester was led by Dane Jobst's game highs of 22 points and 16 rebounds. Brendan Rios finished with 14 points. Paul Brooks added a double double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The opening half saw neither team lead by more than four points. The seesaw affair ended with the hosts leading 35-32, however poor free throw shooting really prevented an opportunity to separate from the Trailblazers. The Lancers shot just 4-16 from the line in the half. Worcester received a strong first half from Jobst who collected 11 points and 12 rebounds. Jobst's efforts led to Worcester holding a 27-17 edge off the glass in the opening twenty minutes.
Worcester would lead by eight points in the closing half and then they were up 59-52 with eleven minutes left before the Trailblazers clawed their way back. MCLA used a 9-0 run, all three pointers, to retake the lead. Worcester regained the slim lead at 65-64, before Tyriq Rochester's putback gave MCLA the lead for good.
Worcester would pull within two at 77-75, however a Jones free throw and a three point field goal from Viches put the game out of reach.
MCLA shot 49% in the win, including an 11-18 performance from behind the arc. The Lancers shot 46% from the floor, however they were just 17-38 from the free throw line.
The Trailblazers will continue MASCAC play on Tuesday when they host Fitchburg State.