Diallo’s double-double leads Men’s Basketball to 78-65 win over Clarks Summit in Purple and Gold Classic

Williamstown, MA- MCLA forward Mamadou Diallo registered a double-double this afternoon helping the Trailblazers defeat Clarks Summit 78-65 on the second day of the Williams College Purple and Gold Classic. With the win MCLA improves to 2-4 while the Defenders fall to 0-6.

Midway through the first half MCLA's Ken Fukuda steal and score would put the Trailblazers up 24-16. A minute later, Jayden Mills would drain a 3-pointer to reestablish the eight-point advantage at 27-19. Clarks Summit would respond with a 13-5 run punctuated by an Ashton West dunk with just over four minutes left to play in the half. West would finish the half with 18 points though it would be MCLA that took a narrow 42-40 lead into the locker room.

A minute into the second half a Korey Greenland free throw would put the Trailblazers up 43-42 and begin what proved to be 15-0 run capped off by a Diallo layup from a steal and assist by Amon Moore.

With just under six minutes to play a Korey Greenland 3-pointer would give MCLA a 67-53 lead. But over the next minute and a half the Defenders would go on a 9-0 run, seven of which were scored by Isaiah Coleman, to cut the deficit to 67-62. Two more Coleman points with less than three minutes left would put Clarks Summit within five again, 69-64.

MCLA would finish strong however, forcing three Defender turnovers in the final minutes, ending the game on a 9-1 run including a pair of clutch runners by Reece Racette, to secure the win, 78-65.

Ashton West would finish with a game-high 22 points for Clarks Summit while teammates Isaiah Coleman with 14 points and Hunter Plantz with 9 points and 14 rebounds, had strong performance.

MCLA would place four players in double figures including Jayden Mills with 13, Reece Racette with 11, Korey Greenland with 10 and Mamadou Diallo who finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The Defenders shot 42.9% from the field but only 3-14 from three-point territory. The Trailblazers would only shoot 39.5% from the field but did shoot 11-31 from beyond the arc. MCLA also was able to force 24 turnovers.

Clarks Summit will next host Kings College on Monday. MCLA returns to action Monday as well when they travel to Chicopee to take on Elms College for a 5pm tip-off.