NORTH ADAMS, MASS. - The New England College men's basketball team came up just short on Saturday, falling to the Masschusetts College of Liberal Arts on the road, 83-82. 

The Pilgrims opened the first half strong, as sophomore Luke Montejo (Tewksbury, Mass.) knocked down a three-pointer and layup to jump out to a 9-3 lead. The Trailblazers answered with a run of their own, taking a 13-11 lead with 14:54 remaining. The teams traded baskets throughout the half, and MCLA stretched their lead to 28-21 before junior Jasen Stovall (Tampa, Fla.) scored four quick points to cut it to 29-25. A late three-pointer from Frank Field briefly pushed MCLA's lead into double digits, but sophomore Jayden Welch (Lynn, Mass.) responded with a three of his own to trim the lead. MCLA stayed hot from the field to close the half with a 47-34 lead. 

The teams traded baskets to start the second half, with sophomore Josh Robie (Bethlehem, N.H.) sinking two free throws and a three-pointer to cut the Trailblazers' lead to 50-42. MCLA stayed efficient from the field and rebuilt their double-digit lead. The Trailblazers later called a timeout after the 'Grims went on a quick 6-0 run, but MCLA answered with another scoring stretch. NEC continued to fight back, as three-pointers from junior Michael Hills (Baton Rouge, La.) and Stovall trimmed the lead with 11:18 remaining. Junior Mike Strazzeri (Chichester, N.H.) then hit a jumper to spark a 12-4 run, cutting MCLA's lead to 79-75 with under three minutes to play. Montejo drove to the rim for a layup, and two free throws from Strazzeri tied the game at 79-79 with 1:38 left. The Trailblazers responded with a jumper to reclaim the lead, but senior Kenray Emadamerho (Manchester, N.H.) went to the line and made both free throws to make it a one-point game. The Trailblazers countered quickly with a layup in the paint and held on to edge the 'Grims, 83-82. 

Montejo led the offense with 19 points, seven rebounds, and an assist, while Stovall added 13 points, four rebounds, and an assist. Strazzeri tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals, and Robie chipped in 11 points and an assist. Sophomore Ryan Cuvier (Tewksbury, Mass.) recorded a team high nine rebounds and added nine points and two blocks.  

The Pilgrims head to Framingham, Massachusetts on Tuesday for a non-conference matchup against Framingham State University beginning at 6:00 PM. 

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