Monteiro's 25 Points, Lofton's Double-Double Leads Men's Hoops to 83-60 Win over MCLA

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior guard Brendan Monteiro (Brockton, Mass.) scored a season-high 25 points, and junior forward Michael Lofton (Mansfield, Mass.) notched a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards, as the Bridgewater State University men's basketball team coasted to an 83-60 victory over visiting MCLA in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both teams on Thursday evening at the Tinsley Center.

Bridgewater improves to 6-7 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season while MCLA falls to 2-10 (0-1 MASCAC).

Monteiro connected on 9 of 13 field goals attempts and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line.  He also added three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Lofton knocked down 8 of 11 attempts from the floor and recorded a game-high five steals.

Junior forward Kyle Gibson (Franklin, Mass.) added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Bears.  Gibson also shot 8-for-11 from the floor and dished out three assists.

Senior forward John Jones (Worcester, Mass.) paced the Trailblazers with 12 points, seven boards, four assists and four steals, while junior guard Jeremic Bennett (Albany, N.Y.) tallied 13 points and senior forward Ramon Viches (Boston, Mass.) added ten points and five rebounds.

Bridgewater shot 57% (32-56) from the floor and 79% (15-19) at the free throw line.  In a solid defensive effort, the Bears forced 22 turnovers and limited the Trailblazers to 39% (25-65) shooting.

MCLA held a 38-22 rebounding advantage including an 18-6 edge on the offensive glass.

Bridgewater opened the game with a 10-1 run and never looked back.  The Bears got up by as many as 20 points on four occasions in the first half and led 38-23 at the break.  The second half was more of the same as the BSU advantage ballooned to as many as 29 points (three times) before the Bears settled for the 23-point victory.

The MASCAC schedule resumes for both teams on Saturday.  The Bears entertain Westfield State University at three, while the Trailblazers head to Worcester State University to take on the Lancers at seven.