Men's Basketball to Host Lesley University
The Matchup: Lesley University Lynx (7-9 overall, 4-5 NECC) at Elms College Blazers (10-7 overall, 5-3 NECC)
Date: Saturday, January 28
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Site: Picknelly Arena (Chicopee, Mass.)
Click here for directions to Elms College
Click here for live stats
All-Time Series: Elms College leads the all-time series with Lesley University, 13-1 dating back to the 1999-00 season.
Last Meeting: Elms posted a 68-49 victory over Lesley on Jan. 7 earlier this season in Boston, Mass.
Setting The Scene: Elms enters New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) weekend action looking to snap its two-game losing streak. The Blazers fell to Daniel Webster College, 50-47 on Jan. 21 and most recently suffered a 71-60 overtime setback at Wheelock College on Jan. 26. Lesley, meanwhile, is coming off a six-point win over Mitchell College on Jan. 26 and has now won four of its last six games.
Scouting The Lynx: In Thursday evening's matchup against Mitchell, Lesley's John Sanchez (Carson, Calif.) exploded for a collegiate career-high 30 points, including 21 in the second half as the Lynx overcame a seven-point second period deficit to post a 73-67 victory over the Mariners. In addition to his 30 points, Sanchez handed out a game-high eight assists and stole from Mitchell ball handlers a game-best six times. Valentine Emebo (Dorchester, Mass.) finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench, and Bryant Itonyo (Medford, Mass.) earned his 15 points on 5 for 9 shooting from three-point range.
Scouting The Blazers: Elms takes the court having won three of its last five games, but are currently looking to halt a two-game losing streak. It is also the first time since joining the NECC in 2008 that the Blazers have lost back-to-back conference games. In the earlier tilt with Lesley on Jan. 7, Elms' junior guard Andre French (Torrington, Conn.) netted a game-high 14 points, dished out eight assists and recorded six steals to help lift the Blazers to a 68-49 victory. Senior guard Daniel Gonzalez (East Windsor, Conn.) added 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting off the bench, while junior guard Walter Mfuko (Amherst, Mass.) contributed nine points in 10 minutes of action to help seal the victory. Junior forward David McDaniel (Plainfield, N.J.) led all players on the glass, recording a game-best 10 boards.
Chasing 200: Blazers' head coach Ed Silva, now in his 11th season at the helm, has recorded 198 wins during his time at Elms and is just two victories shy of the 200-win milestone.
Pink-Out Day: The Elms College athletics department will host its third "pink-out" event of the 2011-12 year on Saturday, January 28. The Blazers' swim teams host Regis College and Assumption College at 11:00 a.m. at Partyka Natatorium, while the men's and women's basketball teams will host Lesley with games at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. respectively. Continue to join us in promoting breast cancer awareness. During each "pink-out" event, fans are asked to help all teams involved in promoting the cause by wearing pink and donating a minimum of $1. Tee shirts will be available for $10. Together we can make a difference!
Keeping Track Of Blazers' Athletics: For the latest news, notes and statistics visit athletics.elms.edu or call the office of sports information at (413) 265-2440. Fans can now follow the Blazers on Facebook and on live stats!
