Men's Basketball Holds Off MCLA for 80-65 Victory

North Adams, Mass. - The visiting Framingham State University men's Basketball team built a 15 point second half lead that MCLA cut down to just six points before the Rams used clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes to pull away from the Trailblazers 80-65 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's basketball action. 

With the win, the Rams are now 7-9 overall and even their conference mark at 2-2.  The Trailblazers fall to 4-12 on the year and sit at 1-3 in the MASCAC.

In the opening half, the Rams used a 13-0 run to break a 15-15 tie.  The lead was their largest of the half and was fueled by eight points from freshman guard Charles Collins (Lynn, Mass.) off the bench.  MCLA would trim the deficit to eight on two occasions, the last of which was on a Ruben DelRosario layup.  The Rams Ronnie DeBarros (New Bedford, Mass.) would answer and
Framingham would lead 35-25 at halftime.

Framingham scored the first five points out of the locker room to build the 15 point cushion and led 40-25 with 18:24 remaining.  MCLA would then use a 10-0 spurt of their own to pull within five points at 40-35.  The run was capped by Jeremic Bennett's three pointer. 

After trading baskets for a bit, the Rams led 46-41.  Framingham would use their own 10-0 run to distance themselves.  Junior Patrick Cuff (Medway, Mass.) had seven points in the key surge.

MCLA mounted one last rally in the final minutes.  Trailing 63-48, the Trailblazers pulled within six points at 65-59 with 3:26 to play.  The Rams would clamp down, holding MCLA without a point until the 1:00 mark.  In that span, the Rams went 5-6 from the line sandwiched around a DeBarros layup to lead 72-59.  MCLA would never seriously threaten again sealing the win
for the Rams.

The Rams placed four players in double figures led by DeBarros' game-high 18 point effort.  He completed the double double by snagging 10 rebounds.  Collins would finish his night with 16 points and added three steals.  Cuff
would finish with 11 points and five blocks while freshman guard Dan Gould (Quincy, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points. 

MCLA was paced by Todd Hunt's team-best 14 points.  Bennett would finish with 13 points and Ruben DelRosario chipped in with 10.  The Trailblazers shot just 31% from the floor.

MCLA will host Keene State on Thursday night in non-league action before traveling to Westfield State on Saturday.  The Rams will entertain Salem State on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m.

Release courtesy of MCLA Sports Information.