MCLA Tops Fitchburg State, 78-67

Hopkins drops 11 points and nine boards in Falcons MASCAC setback

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (January 22, 2011) – Senior Robert Hopkins (East Hartford, Conn./RHAM) connected for 11 points and nine rebounds as Fitchburg State fell to MCLA 78-67 in MASCAC men’s basketball action this evening.

Hopkins paced the Fitchburg State offense, shooting 5-of-10 from the field, while also adding a pair of assists and two steals on the afternoon. Senior Elliot Knower (Baldwinville, Mass./Narragansett) was also strong, totaling  team-high 13 points, while junior Stephen Verdi (Revere, Mass./Malden) added 12 points and seven rebounds.

Senior Benny Cuprill (Albany, N.Y./Tamarac) was strong for MCLA, registering a game-high 18 points (5-of-10), five rebounds and five assists, while classmate Brendan Kordana (Adams, Mass./Hoosac Valley) touched for 13 points, hitting 3-of-5 from downtown. Senior Jon Greenberg (Antwerp, Belgium/Dennis-Yarmouth) also hit double-figures, rounding out the Trailblazers top scorers with a double-double of ten points and 14 boards.

Trailing by one point (15-14) midway through the first half, MCLA received a spark from junior Chris Harris (Dorchester, Mass./John D. O’Bryant), whose conventional three-point play at the 9:39 mark initiated a 16-0 Trailblazer run. Harris continued to shine throughout the rally with a quick steal and successful jumper before Cuprill took over from beyond the arc with a pair of long balls for a 30-15 advantage. The Trailblazers maintained its double-digit lead throughout the first frame, taking a 43-29 lead into the break.

In the second half, MCLA continued its offensive dominance early, opening a 20 point lead just three minutes into the period. The Trailblazers went up by as much as 27 throughout the second half, using a balanced attack as nine players registered points in the frame. Knower and sophomore Nicholas Viera (Edgartown, Mass./Martha’s Vineyard) led the Falcons second half efforts with eight points apiece.

Fitchburg State (3-12, 0-4 MASCAC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it host Westfield State at 7:30 p.m. MCLA (13-3, 4-0 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State on Wednesday for a match starting at 7:30 p.m.

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MCLA 78, Fitchburg State 67