MCLA stumbles at Johnson State 70-60
JOHNSON, Vt.- Johnson State College used a strong defensive effort to run to a 12-point halftime lead and defeat visiting Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 70-60 in non-conference men's basketball play on Saturday at Carter Gym. The Badgers held the Trailblazers to 33% shooting from the field and 1-for-11 (9%) from the 3-point line on the day. With the loss, MCLA wraps up their first semester of play at 4-5.
Nate Dodge (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) got the Badgers going early with a personal 8-0 run to open the game over the first 1:20 including a pair of 3-pointers and giving the Badgers a lead they would not relinquish throughout the game. JSC (3-6, 0-0 North Atlantic Conference) would see the lead balloon to 18 with 4:35 left to play in the first half following a Brian Phelps (Milton, Vt./Milton) 3-pointer.
E'lon Julien (Bronx, N.Y.) cut the lead to nine points with 17:22 to play but it would be the last time the Blazers would be within single digits. Johnson used a 16-21 free throw effort to keep MCLA at bay down the stretch.
Chris Harris (Dorchester, Mass.) paced MCLA with 16 points and
13 rebounds. Jon Greenberg (Antwerp, Belgium) scored 13
points while Karl Sims (Detroit, Mich.) tossed in 11 points.
MCLA will not play until December 29 at Randolph-Macon's tournament in Ashland, Virginia.