Blazers Fall to Saints In High Scoring Affair

CHICOPEE, MA - The Elms College Men's Basketball team lost a conference matchup against Emmanuel College (Mass.) at home Saturday afternoon in Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 75 | Emmanuel College 90

Records: Blazers 4-18, 2-8 (GNAC) | Saints 10-11, 6-4 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms started off the game better, as a group of Blazers contributed to the early scoring. Emmanuel got right back in the game though, eventually taking a lead with under 8 minutes to go in the half. sophomore Jake Midura (Chicopee, MA) hit a couple of mid-range jump shots and junior Aaron Sanchez scored tough layups inside to chip into the Saints lead. The Saints didn't score for a couple of minutes, leading sophomore RJ Mayfield (Springfield, MA) and graduate student Tahquell Cadle (Bridgeport, CT) to contribute to the scoring load, bringing the game within single digits for the Blazers. The Saints extended their lead again in the last couple of seconds of the first half and led 44-31. If the Blazers wanted to come back and win the game, they would have to do a better job defending Emmauel's three-point shooting and limit their transition points. 

Sanchez and Cadle led the way early for the Blazers, cutting the Emmanuel lead to seven points. The Saints fought tough to extend their lead back out and took advantage of an Elms scoring drought. The Blazers couldn't get a stop on the defensive end, and Emmanuel scored at will. Cadle and Mayfield went on a scoring run of their own, cutting the Saints lead to five points. Without Cadle, Mayfield, and Sanchez, the Blazers would have been destroyed by the Saints, as Elms really depended on the trio all afternoon. That was the closest the Blazers would get, as the Saints went on a huge run during the last five minutes, while Elms sputtered on offense, losing the game 90-75. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks

• Sanchez - 16 points, seven rebounds, and a bblock

• Cadle - 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals

UP NEXT: The Blazers will be at home on Wednesday, February 7 against Regis College at 5:00 P.M.

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