FRAMINGHAM, MA (February 14, 2011) – It was senior day along the Metro West corridor. The MassBay men’s basketball team celebrated the contributions of its second year athletes: Mike Swiderski, Lamel Rios, Joshua Epps, Sam Etienne, Jason Compere-Arty, Robert Hunter, and Mikhail Rubin. The Community College of Rhode Island brought their game and the swagger associated with being one of only a handful of scholarship schools in Region XXI, into the Buccaneer gymnasium. They left in quite a different manner.
MassBay jumped out to a quick 18-9 lead to begin the contest and never looked back. With a disciplined passing game reminiscent of the Princeton offence, the Buccaneers carved up the CCRI defense one possession after another. They led 31-23 at the half. The second half began in similar fashion until the CCRI coach had seen enough, calling a quick timeout. CCRI put on a press that frustrated the MassBay guards into a series of turnovers. MassBay, leading by six with six minutes remaining in the second half, calmed down and began to execute the same passing offense that had been so successful in the first half. They went on a run that put them up fifteen. The final score of the game was 77-65. The victory assures the Buccaneers will retain their 4th ranking nationally, the highest in school history.
MassBay has three regular season games remaining its schedule. They host Gateway Community College on 2/15 at 7:00pm. They travel to Bristol Community College on 2/16 at 7:00pm and Dean College on 2/23 at 7:00pm. All home games are played on MassBay’s Framingham campus, 19 Flagg Drive.
The Massachusetts Community College Athletic Conference Tournament begins on Saturday February 19th at Massasoit Community College. The NJCAA Region XXI tournament, which will decide who will represent the New England region in the National Tournament; will begin on Friday March 4th at Quinsigamond Community College.
The Buccaneers host Alumni Day on Saturday, February 26th, honoring past players and supporters of the program. The Buccaneers host Summer Basketball Program Day on Tuesday, February 15th.
For more information on the MassBay men’s basketball program or any of the other intercollegiate teams at the school, visit www.massbay.edu.