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MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ATHLETICS

Men’s Basketball Shoots Past New England College 81-52

A strong shooting night led the Men's Basketball team past New England College, 81-52

Hayden Morris-Gray led all scorers with 20 points on a six-for-seven night from deep and a perfect two-for-two at the line
Hayden Morris-Gray led all scorers with 20 points on a six-for-seven night from deep and a perfect two-for-two at the line
December 5, 2023
Video Box Score

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The MCLA Men's Basketball team was lights out from beyond the three-point line, shooting an amazing 47.4% on an 18 for 38 performance this evening against New England College. First-year guard Hayden Morris-Gray led all scorers with 20 points on a six-for-seven night from deep and a perfect two-for-two at the line.

THE BASICS:

  • Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
  • Score: New England College 52, MCLA 81
  • Records: New England College Pilgrims 2-6 (GNAC 1-0) | MCLA Trailblazers 5-4 (MASCAC 0-0)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The signs of a good night for the Trailblazers started early when, about five minutes into the game Dylan Morris-Gray drove to the hoop but kicked out his brother Hayden Morris-Gray in the left corner for a wide-open three-pointer. On the inbounds, pressure from the combination of Hayden and Kumar Lewis forced a turnover by NEC, Hayden controlled the ball and bounced a pass to a streaking Quentin Gittens for a thunderous dunk that fired up both the MCLA players and the crowd.
  • The home teams' momentum continued to grow, with MCLA taking a 20-point lead into the half-time locker room. The Trailblazers bench had 21 first half points, just behind the Pilgrims team total of 23 at the half.
  • Hayden Morris-Gray scored 20 points to match his career-high against Rivier on November 11th. This was also the second straight game in which he reached double digits after his 14 point night against Elms on November 29th. This was also the second straight game in which a Morris-Gray scored 20 points after Dylan reached that number against Elms.
  • Sophomore Jake Bluestein finished the game with 12 points in 14 minutes off the Trailblazer bench. Bluestein was 4-7 from beyond the arc, including a 3-4 showing in the first half.
  • Jayden Mills closed out the trio of MCLA double-digit scores with 10 points to go with seven rebounds. The seven rebounds tied him with Gittens for the game-high on the boards.
  • MCLA got contributions up and down the score sheet as 12 of the 15 players who appeared in the game scored at least two points. MCLA finished the game with a 37-16 advantage in points off the bench
  • Alex Williams led NEC with 10 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes. Junior Efosa pulled down a team-high six rebounds, while Nick Gomeau pulled down five boards and scored nine points.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • Field Goals / %: NEC 23-63 / 36.5%, MCLA 27-63 / 42.9%
  • 3 Points / %: NEC 1-7 / 14.3%, MCLA 18-38 / 47.4%
  • Free Throw / %: NEC 5-11 / 45.5%, MCLA 9-14 / 64.3%,
  • Rebounds: NEC 38, MCLA 45
  • Points off Turnovers: NEC 12, MCLA 12
  • Second Chance Points: NEC 7, MCLA 11
  • Points in the Paint: NEC 34, MCLA 16
  • Bench Points: NEC 16, MCLA 37

UP NEXT:

On Saturday, MCLA will be back in action when they travel to SUNY Plattsburgh for a non-conference matchup with the Cardinals at Memorial Hall. The teams will take the floor for a 2 p.m. tip-off.

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