NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Ki-Shawn Monroe scored a career best 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the MCLA men's basketball team to a convincing 92-69 win this afternoon over visiting Rivier in the Amsler Campus Center on Saturday.

 

In the opening half, the MCLA defense held Rivier to just 26% shooting while the home team converted on a sizzling 67% of their attempts. MCLA (5-4) led just 15-12 early on, but used a 16-3 spurt to increase the lead to 31-15 with 7:22 left in the half. The Trailblazers would continue the offensive onslaught and lead 53-28 at the half.

 

Chris Becker was outstanding in the opening half for MCLA. The center went 7-for-7 from the floor for 14 first half points. Ki-Shawn Monroe tallied 11 points and eight boards in the opening half of play. 

 

MCLA was never challenged in the second half as they cruised to victory.

 

Monroe was 7-10 from the floor and chipped in 4 assists and 6 steals.  Becker ended with 18 points. Hayden Bird came off the bench to score 16 points while Noah Yearsley added 13.

 

Rivier (2-7) was led by Issiah Chappell's game best 22-point night.  Rivier was held to just 33% shooting.

 

MCLA goes to Elms on Tuesday.

 

Women's Basketball

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- Smith College's Katelyn Pickunka scored 18 points to lead the Pioneers to a runaway win over MCLA, 89-40.

 

Smith (7-0) left little doubt in this one as they jumped out to a 26-12 lead after one quarter and led 51-22 at halftime. After outscoring MCLA 25-8 in the third quarter, the game was never in doubt.

 

Pickunka was 6-7 from the floor in just 17 minutes of action. Dashelle Gleissner added 11 points for Smith.

 

The Pioneers shot 65% from the floor and held a sizable 39-19 rebounding edge.

 

MCLA (2-6) was paced by Drury graduate Brooke DiGennaro's season best 18-point effort. She was 6-for-11 from the floor and 3-5 from three point land.  Shannon Carney chipped in with 12 points.

 

MCLA is back in action on Tuesday when they head to Schenectady, N.Y., to face Union.