Men's Basketball Captures MSU Holiday Classic Title

MONTCLAIR, N.J.  -- Sophomore forward Michael Lofton (Mansfield, Mass.) led five players in double figure points as Bridgewater State University defeated University of Mary Washington, 70-60, in the championship game of the Montclair State Basketball Alumni Team Hill Holiday Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Panzer Athletic Center.

Bridgewater State, which won its second straight game in improving its season record to 5-5, won the holiday tournament for the second time in as many appearances. The Bears defeated Keene State, 83-57, to win the title in 2005.

Lofton, voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player, collected 11 points, nine rebounds and nine steals in a balanced Bridgewater State attack. Senior guard Shawn Yard (Brockton, Mass.) and sophomore forward Kyle Gibson (Franklin, Mass.) topped the Bears with 14 points apiece, senior forward Anthony Fortes (Providence, N.J.) scored 13 points and junior guard Brendan Monteiro (Brockton, Mass.) chipped in 12 points.

Both teams turned in repeat performances of their respective tournament first-round games in the first half. Mary Washington, which fell to 4-6 on the season, established the early advantage. The Eagles were off to a flying start, going on a 22-10 scoring run to take what looked to be a commanding 12-point lead, its biggest of the half, with 9:37 left in the opening stanza. But that would be the only highlight for Mary Washington.

Bridgewater State, which rallied from a 15-point deficit to win its opening round tournament game, came right back. The Bears dominated the rest of the period, outscoring the Eagles 16-2, the last points coming on a jumper by Yard with three seconds left to give Bridgewater State the lead at the halftime break, 26-24.

BSU continued its control over Mary Washington in the second period. The Bears went on a 22-8 scoring outburst over the first eight minutes of the half, building a 16-point bulge, the largest of the game, at 48-32 with 12:05 to play.

Mary Washington could get only as close as seven points twice, the last time at 65-58 with 2:18 left.

Sophomore forward Sean Armstrong (Richmond, Va.) topped the Eagles with 13 points and seven rebounds. Armstrong was named to the All-Tournament team along with Yard and Monteiro from Bridgewater State, senior guard-forward Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) of Keene State College and senior guard Ken Rubenstein (South Orange, N.J.) from host Montclair State University.

Bridgewater State returns to action on Jan. 5 when they visit Fitchburg State in a Centennial Conference game. Mary Washington will play on Jan. 2 at the Washington and Lee Tournament, where they will face Emory and Henry in the first round.