Trailblazers Defeat Fourth-seeded Worcester StateBy Jeffrey Puleri, MCLA Sports Info
08:49AM / Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | |
WORCESTER, Mass. — The fifth-seeded Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers defeated fourth-seeded Worcester State University on the road, 73-65, in the MASCAC quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The Trailblazer victory snaps a six-game slide and MCLA improves to 8-18.
MCLA held a slim 32-28 lead after the opening twenty minutes of play. The Trailblazers took command at the onset of the second half, scoring the first six points. Chris Harris started the run with back-to-back buckets, while Jamal Brown finished it off with one of his own as MCLA opened up a 38-28 lead.
Worcester would cut the lead to seven at 40-33 following Robert Hunter's three-point play, but MCLA responded with a key run to put the game out of reach. The Trailblazers used a 13-2 burst to jump out to a commanding 18 point lead at 53-35 with 10:12 remaining. Brown had six points in the run, while reserve Bilal Shabazz closed it with a pair of layups.
Worcester did respond with an 11-0 run of its own to cut the lead to 53-46 with 6:32 left, but MCLA countered with an 8-3 spurt, pushing the lead back into double figures.
The Lancers did get within six points with under a minute remaining, but MCLA made some key free throws down the stretch to advance.
Brown finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead MCLA. Harris added 15 and Michael Young collected 12 in the win. Tyrell Mosley also collected his 1,000th career point in the win. Mosley's total includes his two year performance at Mass Bay Community College. He finished with 9 points.
MCLA will travel on Thursday to face the top seed in Salem State University at 7 p.m. The Vikings swept the season series from MCLA.
In the other semifinal, Westfield State University advanced to face second seeded Bridgewater State University. The Championship game will be played on Saturday at the site of the highest remaining seed.
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