SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Medgar Evers College men's basketball team competed at the Western New England Tip-Off tournament on Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16, 2019.

The Cougars fell to Pine Manor College on Friday, before coming up just short against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday, at the tournament hosted by Western New England University.

VS. PINE MANOR (11/15)

First up was the contest against Pine Manor on Friday. The first half was a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. The Cougars took a seven-point lead when Devin Berrios put the team up 26-19 with a three-pointer, but less than eight minutes later, Medgar was down eight points.

By halftime, the Cougars were trailing 55-51. Medgar held firm in the second half, limiting the deficit and taking a 72-71 lead after a pair of Marcus Lewis free throws, and a Mousa Sinera layup put the Cougars up 3. Soon after, James Julien hit a three to put the Cougars up 77-72 with 11 minutes left.

However, Pine Manor then went on a 21-4 run which made the score 93-81 with just six minutes left. Despite the Cougars' best efforts, the lead remained between seven and 12 points for the remainder of the high-scoring contest.

Lewis led the team with 20 points and added nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals, while Sinera recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, adding three steals. Isaiah Garvey-Mwazi (18 points), Devin Berrios (17 points in 17 mins.), and Keison McIntosh (14) also scored in double figures for the Cougars on Friday.

VS. MCLA (11/16)

The Cougars had to quickly recover for another evenly-matched contest the following day. The team jumped out to an early lead which reached 10 points after a James Julien triple made the score 37-27, and the team led 40-38 at halftime.

The Cougars hung onto a narrow lead until a jumper made the score 56-55, with MCLA having the advantage. This was the first of seven lead changes over the next four minutes, as the teams traded baskets. Ultimately, MCLA established a 75-68 lead with just over seven minutes left, and the Cougars could not complete the comeback.

McIntosh, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, finished with 23 points on 8-15 shooting, including hitting six of 11 three point attempts. Sinera recorded his second double-double in as many games, totaling 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cougars return to action on Tuesday, November 19, for a home contest at the Cougars Cave against Cairn University at 7 pm.