Men’s Basketball Holds Off MCLA for 67-64 Victory in MASCAC Action

North Adams, Mass. – A Cameren McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) layup with 2:22 on the clock put the Framingham State University men's basketball in the lead for good as the Rams secured their first conference victory of the season defeating MCLA tonight 67-64 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Amsler Campus Center.

THE BASICS:

- Score: Framingham State 67, MCLA 64

- Records: Framingham State (2-20, 1-8 MASCAC), MCLA (14-8, 7-3 MASCAC)

- Location:  Amsler Campus Center – North Adams, Mass.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• McCloud-Thomas finished the game with 12 points for the Rams, including the clutch bucket in the closing minutes of the game, on 6-of-12 from the floor.  McCloud-Thomas added four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
• Senior Tyri Hampton (Fitchburg, Mass.) tallied a team-high 17 points and added six rebounds, while sophomore Jared Gordon-Anderson (Framingham, Mass.) finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
• Junior Keith Hollman (Cambridge, Mass.) tallied nine points in the game including a pair of clutch free throws in the final minute.
• Noah Yearsly led four Trailblazers in double figures with 14 points, five rebounds and four blocks off the bench.
• Antoine Montgomery finished the contest with 13 points and six boards, while Ki-Shawn Monroe talled 11 points with five rebounds and four assists.
• Quentin Gittens was the final Trailblazer with double figures as he scored 10 and grabbed three boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams struggled from the floor early in the game and trailed by seven, midway through the first half.
• The Rams used an 11-2 run to close the gap and tie the game at 25-25 with 2:07 left in the first.  The two teams traded baskets until a John Kalton (Somerville, Mass.) three pointer gave the Rams a 32-27 lead at the break.
• The Rams opened the second half with a quick spurt taking a 39-31 lead just two minutes into the frame, but MCLA chipped away at the advantage and took the lead back 50-48 midway through the frame.
• The Rams answered with a three from Hampton and the two teams would trade the lead over the final nine minutes as neither team would lead by more than five.
• With 2:22 on the clock, McCloud-Thomas converted a jumper to put the Rams in the lead for good at 63-62.
• After neither team scored on their ensuing possessions, Gordon-Anderson converted a pair of free throws to push the Rams lead to 65-62.
• Monroe answered with a pair of free throws for the Trailblazers cutting the gap back to one with 1:20 on the clock.
• Both teams were called for charges in the final minute and the Trailblazer defense came up with another stop giving the hosts possession.  The Trailblazers were called for another charge with 4.4 seconds on the clock.
• MCLA was forced to foul and Hollman sank both extending the lead back to three. After both teams called timeouts, the Trailblazers had one last opportunity with 4.4 on the clock but the Trailblazers turned the ball over to seal the victory for the Rams.

UP NEXT:                   

The Rams are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Salem State University at 3 p.m.