Hawks Burn Blazers

 Leicester, Mass. - Junior Rajai Leggett (New Haven, Conn.) had a double double, a game high 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Becker College Hawks defeated the Elms College Blazers 81-68 in New England Collegiate Conference men's basketball action at Alumni Gymnasium. The Hawks (7-7, 3-0 NECC) remain undefeated in conference play.

Becker and Elms (8-5, 2-1NECC) played a very close first half. Each team traded baskets and there were 6 ties in the half. Neither team had a lead greater than 5 points. Becker was led by Mudia Osewegie (Roselle, NJ) and Trey Jacobs (Lexington Park, MD) who both had 6 points and Markus Wright (New Haven, Conn.) who pulled down 5 rebounds. Elms' senior Javon Mathis (East Hartford, Conn.) led both teams with 9 points as the Blazers held a 31-29 advantage after 20 minutes.

Elms had a 5 point lead 36-31 to start the second half when Juan Maldonado (Holyoke, Mass.) hit a three pointer at the 18:27 mark. The Hawks wouldn't back down and went on an 18-4 run to pick up a 49-40 lead with just over 12 minutes to play. Elms came right back with a dunk by Mathis at 11:01 to cut the lead to 50-44. With six minutes to play Leggett and Terrance Favors (Boston, Mass.) had back to back fast breaks and DeJohn Exum (New London, Conn.) hit a jumper and a free throw to give the Hawks a 62-52 advantage. The Blazers cut the lead to seven points but couldn't get any closer.

The Hawks outrebounded Elms 55-37.

Elms was led by Maldonado's 15 points and Mathis' twelve. Becker was led by Favors (14 points), Exum (11 points) and Jacobs (13 points).

The Hawks return to action a week from today when they travel to Daniel Webster College for a NECC game at 3:00pm.