Blazers Hold On Late to Defeat Rams

CHICOPEE, MA -After a long battle against the Framingham State Rams the Elms College Blazers were able to pull away with a non-conference victory of 70-66 on Thursday night in Picknelly Arena.

In game two of a four game home stretch, the Blazers took on the Framingham St. Rams Thursday night. The game went back and forth early, as both teams traded baskets. Addison Phifer (Hadley, MA) got hot early for the Blazers off the bench, hitting two of his six made threes early to put the Blazers ahead 18-16. Both teams started to get a little chippy in the first half, as the officials had to separate multiple players time after time. Elms fed off of this energy and channeled it on the defensive side, as Neilon Bridgeman (Brooklyn, MA) and Aaron Sanchez (Bronx, NY) held the fort down in the paint for the Blazers. Sanchez continued to work the offensive glass, putting pressure on the Rams, resulting in him having multiple free throw opportunities. This toughness is what the Blazers have been missing all year. Sanchez was the answer Thursday night. The Blazers extended their lead to eleven at the end of the first half, but the Rams cut it to five at halftime, leaving Elms with a 34-29 lead.

In the second half, both teams continued to play hard with neither side willing to give ground. Tahquell Cadle put the Blazers up six off of a fadeaway jump shot, but Framingham's Adonis Vashon hit a key three to close the Elms lead to four. Vashon hit another three to cut the lead to two, and another basket by Framingham tied the game at 53. The Rams took the lead on the ensuing possession, leaving Elms to scrap back into the game. Late in the game the Blazers were able to capitalize on the offensive end with a knocked down three by Phifer, followed up with a dunk from RJ Mayfield (Springfield, MA) with a minute remaining in the game lifting them to a three point lead (67-64). Framingham had the chance to win the game with a handful of seconds left, but stepped out of bounds to lessen their odds. A technical foul on the Rams for a timeout call with no timeouts remaining sent the Blazers to the line for two free shots with 1.9 seconds on the clock. Kishaun Cole (Sleepy Hollow, NY) went two for two giving them the win of 70-66, the Blazers first of the season.

Inside the Numbers:

• Addison Phifer: 30 minutes | 20 points | 6 rebounds | 1 steal

• Aaron Sanchez: 27 minutes | 10 points | 7 rebounds | 3 assists | 1 steal | 1 block

• RJ Mayfield: 21 minutes | 13 points | 3 rebounds | 1 steal | 3 blocks

Next Up:

The Blazers will be at home to take on Plymouth St. on Saturday, November 18th, at 1 P.M.