Men's Basketball Registers First Victory

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Elms College beat Manhattanville College 63-53 in the consolation game of the Rick Martin- Holiday Inn Express tournament at the Woodward Center on Sunday afternoon.

The win improves the Blazers of Elms College to 1-1 while the Valiants of Manhattanville drop to 0-2 to start the season.

The Blazers opened the game on a torrid pace, staking a 22-4 lead over the first 12 minutes of play. Junior guard Tim Putnam (Windsor Locks, Conn.) highlighted the early run with two 3-pointers, he finish a perfect 3-3 beyond the arc with 11 points.

The Valiants finished the first frame with an 8-2 run of their own, punctuated by a Wills Flynn 3-pointer on the final possession to bring the game within seven heading into the break, 25-32.

Manhattanville was able to cut the deficit to five early in the second half before a second Elms run opened the lead back to 12 with 14 minutes remaining. The Blazers rode out the double digit cushion for the remainder of the game.

Senior forward Kenny Lockett (Atlanta, Ga.) paced the Blazers with 13 points, seven rebounds and added two assists. Senior guard Jerry Buchanon (Windsor Locks, Conn.) distributed a game high four assists and added 11 points in the winning effort.

Manhattanville's Anthony Maestre posted a game high 14 points in the loss. Juan Camacho was the only other double digit scorer for the Valents, he finished with 10.

Junior forward Kadar Lynch (Springfield, Mass.) contributed 8 points off the bench for the Blazers and blocked four shots.

Elms College hosts Keene State in their home opener Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.while Manhattanville travels to Purchase on Wednesday, Nov. 19 for a 7 p.m.tipoff.