Men's Basketball Beat New England for a Big Home Conference Victory

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Basketball hosted New England College for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup Saturday afternoon for their Fight Like a Kid Cancer Awareness and Alumni Game at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 62 | New England College 56
Records: Blazers 4-15, 4-4 (GNAC) | Pilgrims 3-16, 1-7 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Women's and Men's Basketball teams came together to host the FIGHT LIKE A KID Childhood cancer awareness to join in solidarity for those impacted by childhood cancer, honoring Autumn, 9 year old Fanconi Anemia Warrior and Team Ava, 6 year old leukemia warrior of Sutton, Mass., to raise $50,000 for the Fanconi Cancer Foundation to fund research that will go into the next FDA approved drug to help those battling Pediatric Fanconi Cancer.  When you came in today, we provided you with more information to learn about our campaign, Fanconi Cancer, and ways that you can help us raise this lifesaving amount of money in only 15 weeks.

If you are interested in donating, please click the link below.

Team Autumn - Fanconi Cancer Foundation

Both teams would also host alumni games, being joined by former Blazers basketball players of multiple generations. During halftime of the men's game, the 2004-2005 Men's Basketball team would be honored, celebrating 20 years since their historic North Atlantic Conference Championship, defeating Lasell College for the first championship in program history, and would earn a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms would begin the contest with possession, but New England College would be the first to score, recording a slam dunk for the opening basket. The Blazers would quickly respond with a pair of layups from junior forward RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.) and senior guard Aaron Sanchez (the Bronx, N.Y.), followed by a block by graduate student forward Neilon Bridgeman (Brookly, N.Y.) to take the lead momentarily 4-2, but the Pilgrims would tie the game with a layup of their own. Mayfield would block a layup, but NEC would take the lead shortly after. But as the 'Grims believed they could continue to control the early momentum, but Bridgeman would connect with an open sophomore guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) for a three-point shot, followed by a steal by junior guard Aden Goffe (New Haven, Conn.), but New England would respond with a three-point shot to take the lead. As the two sides would continue their fight, the Elms offense would capitalize with senior forward/center Addison Phifer (Hadley, Mass.) would make a jump shot, followed by a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Jaiden Lopez (Lebanon, Conn.), and layups from Goffe and junior center/guard/forward Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.), but the Pilgrims would continue to hold on to their lead, 18-15. Shortly thereafter, Goffe would make three shots to take the lead with under five minutes remaining in the opening half. As the clock wound down to its final minutes, the two conference foes would continue to battle for the lead. The Blazers offense would see Sanchez would make a layup and a tip-in by Mayfield, but the 'Grims hold on to the lead, 27-25, going into the halftime break.

The two opposing teams would begin the second half battling, after a layup from Sanchez was made for the first basket of the half, followed by a three-point shot from New England. Moments later, Bridgeman would make a steal that would lead to a layup by Mayfield, followed by a blocked shot from Bridgeman, to bring the score back to a one-point differential, and Elms would then take the lead after Ciaglo would make a three-point shot. The Blazers offense would continue to add upon to their lead with the assistance of a tip-in by Mayfield, but the Pilgrims would retake the lead, 36-34, moments later. Seconds later, Phifer would make a layup to tie the game, followed by a three-point shot from Lopez to regain the lead once again. As the second half continued, Lopez would record a steal, followed by junior forward Adam Sarlan (Chicopee, Mass.) made a pair of free throws, a jump shot from Phifer, and a pair of layups by Goffe. The two foes would trade blows, including Mayfield making a three-point shot and layup and Bridgeman recording a pair of tip-ins, but the Elms offense would secure the win with the assistance of a layup, free throw, and a block from Mayfield, free throws by Ciaglo and Goffe, 62-56 in front of their home crowd.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.

• Goffe - 13 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

• Ciaglo - eight points, five rebounds, and an assist.

• Sanchez - six points, three rebounds, and two assists.

• Phifer - six points and seven rebounds.

• Lopez - five points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

• Bridgeman - four points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.

• Sarlan - two points, two rebounds, and an assist.

• Cancel - two points.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will return to Picknelly Arena to host Norwich University in a conference matchup on Tuesday, February 4th at 7 pm.

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