Balanced Attack Leads Men’s Basketball Past STCC, 69-52

#24 Jovani Harper-Lopez
#24 Jovani Harper-Lopez

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Four Massasoit starters reached double figures, led by Rael Handy's (Easton) 17 points as the Massasoit men's basketball team topped Springfield Tech, 69-52 on Saturday.

Massasoit (3-3, 3-3 Region 21) posted a perfect 3-0 record for the week and next hosts Gateway on Tuesday at 7:30 PM.

Handy tallied five assists and four rebounds to go along with his team-high point total. Mark Georges (Avon) was next in scoring with 14 and added five steals and four boards while Rollskey Edouard (Holbrook) netted 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Outside the strong perimeter play by the Warriors, center Mark Munroe (Quincy) scored 11 points, nine in the first half, and Jovani Harper-Lopez (Randolph) produced a strong all-around game with eight points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

Massasoit jumped out to an early 12-3 lead through the first four minutes of action, as Munroe put in three baskets during the quick starting rally.

STCC (4-4, 2-3) pulled back within seven at 15-8, thanks to a 3-pointer by Demetrius Rogers, but the Warriors responded with consecutive three-point plays converted by Handy and Munroe to grow the lead back up to 21-8 with 12:05 to play in the half.

Massasoit would maintain a double digit lead all the way to halftime, holding a 41-28 advantage at intermission.

STCC went on a spurt to start the second half, using a 8-1 run to make it 42-36 with 16:01 to play in the game.

The Warriors would respond, yet again, embarking on a quick 19-4 run that took just under four minutes. A three-point play from Harper-Lopez and three-pointer by Edouard were key baskets as Massasoit would run away with the victory and has now won three in a row.

The Rams were led on offense by Rogers' game-high 27 points.

Saturday marked the fourth time Massasoit has held an opponent under 70 points on the season.