Men’s Basketball Fall to Alfred at Purple and Gold Classic

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The MCLA Men's Basketball team kicked off their 2025-26 season this afternoon, traveling to the Williams College Purple & Gold Classic for a non-conference matchup with the Alfred University Saxons. Craig Williams led the Trailblazers with 15 points but the Saxons held on for a 70-60 win to open the P&G Classic.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
• Score: MCLA 60, Alfred 70
• Records: MCLA Trailblazers 0-1 (MASCAC 0-0) | Alfred University Saxons 1-0 (Empire 8 0-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams traded points for most of the first half, with neither team pulling away from the other. The first half saw six lead changes, six ties and neither team getting to a lead of more than five points. At the half, Alfred was ahead by one point at 31-30.
• The second half saw the Saxons slowly begin to gain an advantage but the Trailblazers refused to go away, staying within five to seven points until late in the half when Alfred grew their lead to as many 12 points in the final minute.
• MCLA was led by 15 points from senior guard Craig Williams (Dover, DE), including 10 points in the second half. Junior guard Kamau Franks (Converse, TX) made his Trailblazer debut as the only other MCLA player in double digits with 10 points. Junior guard Colin Quinn (South Hadley, MA) provided nine points off the bench.
• Alfred's Franlys Valenzuela recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Zion Baitey finished with a game-high 16 points while Amoi Charles added on 11 points.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Field Goals / %: MCLA 22-56 / 39.3%, Alfred 22-51 / 43.1%
• 3 Points / %: MCLA 5-20 / 25%, Alfred 5-22 / 22.7%
• Free Throw / %: MCLA 11-17 / 64.7%, Alfred 21-28 / 75%
• Rebounds: MCLA 27, Alfred 41
• Points off Turnovers: MCLA 5, Alfred 11
• Second Chance Points: MCLA 9, Alfred 13
• Points in the Paint: MCLA 30, Alfred 32
• Bench Points: MCLA 20, Alfred 18

UP NEXT:

On Sunday, MCLA will be back in action when it again travels to the Williams College Purple & Gold Classic at the Chandler Gymnasium for non-conference matchup with the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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