MHERST, Mass. -- Mike Demartinis scored 15 points, including 12 in the second half, as the MCLA men's basketball team defeated Sarah Lawrence, 61-59, in the consolation round of the Ken Wright invitational on Saturday.

 

MCLA (1-1) led early by as many as 14 points, however this one was close throughout the second half.  Neither team led by more than six in the closing half of play that featured seven lead changes and five ties.  

 

Late in the half, the Gryphons (0-2) led, 56-53, after Enike Anyia's layup with 3:35 left to play.  Noah Yearsley scored on a drive to the basket to cut it to a one point game and MCLA would hold the Gryphons without a basket the rest of the way.

 

With 1:19 left, MCLA's Ki-Shawn Monroe was fouled and sent to the line for two. He made both shots, giving the Trailblazers the lead 57-56. Monroe then forced a Gryphon turnover and made two more FTs, making it 59-56 with just one minute remaining.

 

Anyia was fouled in the act of shooting and would make both with 49 seconds remaining to pull SLC within one at 59-58. Monroe converted another jumper with 27 seconds left moving it to 61-58, but giving the Gryphons the final possession and a chance to send it to OT.

 

SLC's Malin Segal missed a triple but they got the offensive rebound, with just four seconds remaining, MCLA's Yearsley fouled Austin Jones from beyond the arc giving him three FT's and a chance to tie. Jones, however, missed the first and made the second to make it 61-59. He missed the third FT intentionally, but MCLA corralled the loose ball and secured the win.

 

Demartinis scored his 15 points on 4-for-12 shooting while pulling down seven rebounds. He was named to the all tourament team after averaging 17 points over the weekend.

 

Yearsley netted 14 points and knocked down a trio of three pointers, all of which came in the first half. Monroe ended with eight points, six rebounds, and three assists. MCLA overcame a 28 percent shooting effort to earn the win.

 

MCLA will host Williams College on Tuesday.

 

Women's Basketball

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Western New England used a strong run to start the second half, rallying from a 27-18 deficit to earn a 53-47 win over the MCLA Trailblazers Saturday afternoon in non conference action.  Both teams are now 1-1 on the early season.

 

MCLA (1-1) shot out to the halftime lead as Sam Gawron had nine first half points. The Golden Bears (1-1) needed a spark and got one coming out of the locker room. A bucket on the first possession cut it to seven points, then they got a steal and knocked down a three pointer to cut it to five.  WNE continued the run and eventually took the lead at 32-21 after a Meghan Orbann layup.

 

MCLA tied the game at 43-43 after Gawron's layup, and then took the lead at 46-43 on Mckenzie Robinson's triple, however the Trailblazers didn't score again in the final 4:44 of game action.

 

Emily Moulton led MCLA with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

 

MCLA heads to Dean on Tuesday as it continues non-league play.