BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit men's basketball team placed three players in double figures, but Springfield Tech made foul shots down the stretch to hold off the Warriors, 78-71, in the season opener.
Massasoit (0-1) was led by freshman Paul Bentley (Bloomfield, Conn.) who posted 18 points in his first game with the Warriors, featuring three 3-pointers. Sophomores Colin Campbell (Holbrook) and Jashawn Houston (Randolph) added 17 points and 16 points, respectively.
"I thought the guys played hard against a very good Springfield Tech team," head coach Jim Stapleton said. "Some guys really stepped up for us and we had a chance at the end of the game which is all you can ask for."
Springfield Tech led 45-40 at the half, behind 20 first half points from big man Tarrell Morse.
In the closing minute of the contest, Massasoit had fought back and had a chance to take the lead. But, the Warriors missed three consecutive shots and the visiting Rams made their free throws to hold on for the victory.
STCC went 23-of-30 from the line, including 9-of-12 in the second half. Massasoit managed to shoot just 11-for-21 from the charity stripe.
Gensis Arias led the Rams with 21 points, followed by Morse with 20.
Massasoit's Myles Dias (Carver) added nine points off a trio of 3s and M'Kenzi Ryan (Brockton) chipped in with seven points.
Massasoit returns to the hardwood on Thursday, with a trip to rival Dean College. Game time is set for 6 p.m.