Men’s Basketball Takes Down Framingham State on Senior Day, 70-60

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MCLA's Quentin Gittens scored 25 points and fellow senior JoJo Garcia added 14 points as the Trailblazers defeated Framingham State 70-60 this afternoon in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. With the win MCLA improves to 6-17 (4-7 MASCAC) while Framingham State falls to 9-14 (3-7 MASCAC).

The hosts came out strong enjoying a 32-19 advantage with just under five minutes to go in the opening half following a Gittens layup.  However, Framingham closed out the half on a 12-2 run to trim the Trailblazers' lead to 34-31 at the break.

Both teams struggled offensively to open the second half, but Framingham State's Makyle Hayes found his rhythm scoring seven of his 15 points in just over a minute to give the Rams a 45-43 lead at the 12-minute mark.

Four minutes later, a pair of free throws by Hayes made it 52-51 MCLA, but two Gittens layups and a pivotal Garcia three-pointer would give the Trailblazers a 59-51 advantage forcing a Framingham timeout with 6:11 to play. Three minutes later, a Gittens jumper stretched the lead to 63-53 and from there the Trailblazers would close the game out on the free throw line going 7-for-8 in the final minutes to earn the 70-60 victory.

In addition to Gittens (25 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks) and Garcia (14 points and seven rebounds), Jayden Mills tallied 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Craig Williams 9 points and five boards.

Framingham was led by Dyree Rogers who finished with 16 points going 7-for-11 from the field.

Along with Gittens and Garcia, fellow seniors Jackson Brown and Jha-Barrie Portis were honored before the game.

Both teams will play against Worcester State next with the Rams hosing the Lancers on Wednesday and the Trailblazers wrapping up their regular season at Worcester next Saturday at 12pm.

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