Sage pulls away from MCLA men 79-59

Troy, NY- The Sage duo of Troy Nwanna and Kai Deans combined for 37 points and 21 rebounds in leading the Gators to a 79-59 win over MCLA in non conference men's basketball action.  Sage improves to 11-3 while MCLA drops to 5-11 overall.

Nwanna scored a game best 20 points, including 17 in the closing period.  Deans did most of his damage in the opening half on his way to a double double effort of 17 points and 14 rebounds.

Careem Kirksey scored 11 points to lead MCLA, all coming in the second half.  He was the only Trailblazer in double figures, however 14 players checked into the scoring column on the evening.  

MCLA never led in the contest and found themselves down thirteen points at 30-17 in the opening period.  The Trailblazers would close the half on an 11-6 run to close within 36-28 at halftime.  

The Trailblazers would claw back and when Kirksey drilled a three pointer, they trailed just 44-42 with 15:12 left to play.  Sage answered with five straight points from Nwanna followed by another Kirksey trey to make it 49-45.  Just a few minutes later, Kirksey nailed his third triple of the half to pull within two again at 52-50.

From there though, the Gators would then begin to pull away.  They used an 18-4 spurt to surge ahead 70-54 and never looked back.  MCLA wouldn't get any closer than 13 the rest of the way.

Nwanna was 7-10 from the floor for his 20 points.  Melvin Ford chipped in with 11 for Sage.  The Gators shot 39% in the win.

MCLA was held to 34% shooting on the night and was hurt by 21 turnovers.  

The Trailblazers return home on Saturday when they host Westfield State at 3pm.