DelRosario's late bucket lifts MCLA Men past Worcester 55-54
Ruben DelRosario's jumper with 33 seconds left was the game winner as the MCLA Men held off Worcester State 55-54 this evening
Paxton, MA- MCLA senior guard Ruben DelRosario drained a jumper with 33 seconds left for the eventual game winner as the Trailblazers squeaked past the Worcester State Lancers 55-54 in a MASCAC game played at Nichols College. The win evens MCLA's MASCAC mark at 4-4 (7-13 overall), while the Lancers are now 2-5 in the MASCAC (5-15 overall).
MCLA took a 53-51 lead with 2:33 left on Adam Conquest's jumper, however the Lancers would claw back and eventually take the lead when Charles Gunter made the second of two free throws with 55 seconds left making it 54-53 in favor of WSU. Following an MCLA timeout, DelRosario connected with 33 seconds left giving the Trailblazers the lead.
Worcester had a chance to win it on the ensuing possession. They ran the clock down under ten seconds and Brendan Rios' jumper with five seconds left was off the mark as Careem Kirksey corralled the rebound and was fouled. He missed the front end of the 1 and 1 giving Worcester one last chance with little time remaining.
The Trailblazers forced Rios into a turnover and then ran the clock out to preserve the victory. MCLA shot a sizzling 62% in the closing half to earn the hard fought victory.
Neither team led by more than five points the entire game. The Lancers were hampered by a 28% shooting performance on the night.
MCLA was led by Isshiah Coleman's 12 point effort. He also recorded 6 blocked shots. Kenny Suggs scored all 10 of his points in the second half.
Worcester was paced by McKreith-Collins' 14 points and 4 steals. Gunter ended with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals for the Lancers. Worcester committed 17 turnovers in the loss.
MCLA will look to even the season series with Fitchburg State on Saturday as they host the Falcons for a 3pm tip off.