Hannah Wornum's defense lifts MCLA past Lyndon State 96-95 in double overtime

North Adams, MA- Trailblazer center Dakari Hannah Wornum blocked a potential game winning shot from Lyndon State's Gabriel Torres as time expired in double overtime lifting the MCLA Trailblazers Men's Basketball team to a thrilling 96-95 win over the Hornets in the Amsler Campus Center.  The win marked the second in a row for MCLA and they are now 2-1 on the young season.  The loss for the Hornets drops them to 0-1.

In the second overtime, Hannah Wornum scored with 1:04 to play putting MCLA on top 96-93.  Lyndon's Alexis Ravelo would convert on a drive to the basket slicing the lead to one point and the Hornets forced an MCLA turnover with ten seconds remaining.  The Hornets' Raymond Monroe found an open Torres at the top of the key as the clock winded down.  As he released, the long arms of Hannah Wornum deflected the ball giving the Trailblazers the win.

The block capped off a remarkable performance from Hannah Wornum, the second such performance this week.  He ended the night with 14 points and career highs of 18 rebounds and 7 blocks.  It's the second straight game in which he's set personal bests.

The Hornets squandered potential game winning opportunities at the end of regulation and the first overtime.  In regulation with the score tied at 77 with 1:43 to play, neither team could convert as they both missed on consecutive possessions.  The Hornets would get a defensive stop and call time out setting up a play to win the contest.  Eric Vargas drove the lane and dished to an open Dawda Jallow, but his jumper from in close came up short sending the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, MCLA appeared poised to pull away from Lyndon as they led 87-84 following a Khalil Paul jumper with a minute remaining.  The Hornets quickly answered though as Monroe calmly drained a three pointer with 37 ticks left to tie the game.  After another defensive stop, Lyndon had another shot to win the game, but ultimately turned the ball over as time expired.

Early in the second half, MCLA trailed by as many as fourteen points at 47-33.  They would methodically cut into the deficit and eventually tie the game at 55-55 with 11:01 to play in regulation.  MCLA then led by eight points after a Careem Kirksey triple made it 73-65 with 4:31 to play, however Lyndon would outscore MCLA 12-4 to send the game into overtime.

Hannah Wornum went 6-6 from the floor for MCLA.  Sophomore Joe Wiggins had a great game off the bench scoring a team high 21 points before fouling out.  Khalil Paul ended with 16 points, all after halftime as he battled foul trouble, while Kirksey matched him with 16.  Paul Maurice added 13 points and 5 assists for MCLA.

The Hornets were led by Xavier Colbert's 20 points and 7 rebounds.  Ravelo and Torres each finished with 17 points in defeat.  Monroe ended with 13 points and Jallow had 11.

MCLA overcame 19 turnovers to earn the win as they held the Hornets to 38% from the floor, including just 3-22 from beyond the arc.

The Trailblazers shot 47% from the floor.

MCLA will continue the homestand on Friday when they host Castleton University at 7pm.