Demartinis, Scullark spark 85-80 overtime win over Union (NY)

North Adams, MA- Mike Demartinis and Joaquin Scullark each poured in 23 points to lead the MCLA men's basketball team to a hard fought 85-80 overtime victory over visiting Union (NY) this evening in the Amsler Campus Center.  The win was the second straight for MCLA as they move to 3-6 heading into the semester break.  Union drops to 4-3 on the season and also heads into break.

MCLA led 36-33 at halftime, but Union came out roaring in the second half.  They quickly regained control and eventually took their largest lead of the night at 44-36 on a Jackson Mannix three.  The Trailblazers rallied however, behind Demartinis and Scullark.  MCLA took a quick lead at 51-50 and then the teams traded advantages over the next several minutes setting up an exciting finish.

Union took a 69-66 lead with 4:21 left in regulation on a Mike Manley drive to the hoop.  Demartinis cut the margin to one on a jumper, but Union's Brendan Laing, who had a game high 27 points, converted in the paint to extend back to a three point lead.  Demartinis once again answered with a step back triple to tie things up at 71-71 with just 1:23 left to play.

Laing then converted again to give the visitors the lead temporarily, but Antoine Montgomery's drive to the hoop with 30 seconds left tied things up.  Union's Manley had a good look to win it, but came up just short and sent the game into overtime.

In the OT, MCLA never trailed.  With the score tied at 75-75, Demartinis took over by hitting a jumper in the lane and after creating a steal, converted a layup for a four point lead at 79-75 with just two minutes left.

Laing answered with another bucket, but once again Demartinis nailed another dagger to go up 81-77.  Two Union free throws with 30 seconds left cut it to two points, but forced to foul, MCLA sent Hayden Bird to the line.  He converted one of two FT's and then the defense got a stop after Mannix's triple came up well short and Bird was fouled again.  He knocked both free throws down to seal the win.

Demartinis scored 20 of his 23 points after halftime.  He went 8-13 from the floor, 4-7 from three point land, and a perfect 3-3 from the stripe.  Scullark did most of his damage in the opening half before fouling out late.  He ended with 23 points on 8-21 shooting.  He added 10 boards and 4 steals.  Bird would end with 12 points for MCLA.  Gerald Herert came off the bench and finished with 15 points on 5-11 shooting.

MCLA shot 37% but forced 20 Union turnovers in the win.

Laing scored his 27 points on 12-20 shooting, all of which came in the paint.  He added 10 rebounds to complete the double double.  Mannix ended with 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Mike Concannon finished with 13 points for Union.  

The Dutchmen shot 41% and outrebounded MCLA 60-39, but were hurt by their turnovers and ended just 5-26 from beyond the arc.