Men’s Basketball Dominates Glass In 69-56 Comeback Victory At Springfield Tech

#21 M'Kenzi Ryan
#21 M'Kenzi Ryan

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ---- Trailing by double digits at the half, the Massasoit men's basketball team used a second half surge to top the Springfield Tech Rams, 69-56, in the Warriors 2016-17 season opener.

Massasoit (1-0) dominated the glass and inside play, especially in the second half, after falling behind 38-27 at the break. The Warriors outrebounded the Rams 55 to 33, as four players corralled 10-or-more boards and outscored STCC 42-18 in the second half.

Following intermission, the Warriors made a much more conscious effort to work the ball inside. Post players Andrew Groh (East Bridgewater) and Connor Schaefer combined for 17 points in the second half and each recorded a double-double for the game. Schaefer finished with 13 points and 14 boards, while Groh totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Adding to the balanced scoring attack, as four players scored in double figures, was point guard Steven McCall (Brockton), who netted a team-high 16, making 8-of-10 at the foul line and guard Omar Jules (Brockton) adding 14 off the bench.

Four players accounted for 47 of the team's 55 rebounds, as Jovani Harper-Lopez (Randolph) and M'Kenzi Ryan (Brockton) each grabbed 11 rebounds each to join Schaefer and Groh with double digit boards.

Anthony Gowdy-Jimenez paced STCC with 20 points, including six 3-pointers in the loss.

Massasoit returns to the hardwood on Wednesday for its home opener at 6 PM against Navy Prep.