College Basketball: Bridgewater State Men in MASCAC Final

By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University men’s basketball team hit a daily double in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament Thursday night.

First, the second-seeded Bears advanced to the championship game with a 102-93 victory over the third-seeded Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at the Tinsley Center.

Then, a short time later, Bridgewater State learned it will be hosting the MASCAC title game after top-seeded Salem State was stunned in overtime by fourth-seeded Fitchburg State.

So the Bears (17-9) will be home for the conference title game for only the second time ever when they meet Fitchburg State (13-14) on Saturday at 1 p.m.

“It’ll be a tough game, but it’s a great opportunity,″ said coach Joe Farroba, whose team has won six MASCAC tournaments, the last one in 2014. “That’s what you want, to play on a Saturday with a chance to go to the NCAA tournament. We’re going to have this chance.″

The Bears did their part by outgunning the Mohawks (10-16) to reach the conference final for the 11th time.

They are now one step away from the NCAA Division 3 tournament automatic bid after putting together a superb offensive showing.

Rayshon Ward of Plymouth (8 for 12, nine rebounds) and Rocky DeAndrade had 25 points each while Ryan Carney of Easton made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points.

Joseph Carty, who missed the last three games with an injury, returned and had another double-double with 14 rebounds and 12 points plus five assists.

The Bears built double-digit leads in each half, only to have Mass. College come charging right back.

“At this time of year, I’ll quote Kevin McHale: ‘It’s ain’t how, it’s how many,’ ″ said Farroba. “This is the time of year you just want to just win and move on.″

The Bears used an 11-0 run in the first half to open a double-figure lead after the game had been even at 20. They were up, 46-36, not long before the break, but the Mohawks scored 10 straight points to make it 46-46 at halftime.

BSU went on a 27-10 run to begin the second half and led by 19 with just over 12 minutes remaining.

But again, Mass. College put together a run of its own and was within 81-77 with 5:23 to play, led by Noah Yearsley (31 points). The visitors made 16-of-29 shots from 3-point range.

The Bears fought off the Mohawks, taking care of business at the foul line, and punched their ticket to the final round.

“You’ve got to give that team credit,″ said Farroba of Mass. College. “They have a style of play and they can shoot the ball. To their credit they never went away. We got up 19 and they wouldn’t go away.″

Having three players exceed 20 points was a key to the victory, but getting Carty back in the rotation provided a lift for BSU.

“Obviously Carty makes a big difference,″ said Farroba. “He’s just a presence for us rebounding.

“Carney hitting the 3-ball was big for us because it forced them out of the zone. Ray Ward was obviously very solid and Rocky DeAndarde came up big a gain. He’s such a hard worker.″

Bridgewater State and Fitchburg State split two regular-season games with the Bears losing on the road last Saturday when Carty was out.

“They match up very well against us and we match up very well against them,″ said Farroba. “Now we play for a championship.″