Bristol Bee’s Men’s Basketball Victorious, While Women Struggle Against Massasoit Community College

Men's Boxscore

Women's Boxscore

BROCKTON, Mass. – The Bristol Community College basketball teams returned to their first Region XXI action since before the holiday break against the Massasoit Community College Warriors Tuesday night. 

On the men’s side, the Bees broke open a close contest using a strong second half to pull away from Massasoit in an 87-67 victory.

Bristol managed to eke out a five point advantage at halftime, but stiffened their defense in the final frame, forcing the Warriors’ field goal percentage to dip below 40% for the game, helping to increase their lead as time wound down. The Bees also had 14 steals, forced 20 turnovers, and out-rebounded Massasoit 40-28.

Guards Shane DaRosa (Pawtucket, RI/Shea) and Anthony Parker (Taunton, MA/Taunton) led the Bristol scoring attack, contributing 23 and 20 points, respectively.  Justin McElroy (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) dropped in 13 points, while also filling the stat sheet with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.  Kevin Newby (Newport News, VA/Heritage), the 6’4” forward, controlled the paint for the Bees, achieving a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Chris Green scored 21 points, and Antonio Ferreira chipped in with 13 points, but their efforts were not enough for Massasoit, who falls to 5-6 in Region XXI play.

With the win, the Bristol men avoid being swept by the Warriors, while improving their record to 7-6 overall and 6-5 in the conference – good for 4^th place in the current standings (Division 2).

Earlier in the evening, the Bristol women did not have any answers for the Warriors offensive trio of Marina Palladino, Ashley Andrade, and Fredi Lawson, who combined for 85 points in Massasoit’s 101-42 win.

Throw in Tianna Johnson’s triple-double – 14 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds – and the Bees experienced a Raid^® that was too much to handle, culminating in the 59 point loss.

Despite not having a substitute available for the duration of the contest, the Warriors remained efficient throughout and getting easy looks at the basket, while shooting nearly 54% for the game.

Bristol’s Ashley Tillman (Fall River, MA/Diman) led the team with 17 points, but was also responsible for 9 of the team's 28 turnovers.

The Bristol women are now 4-9 on the season, and drop to 3-4 in the league.  The women have a quick turnaround, however, as the New Hampshire Technology Institute pays a visit to Fall River for a 7PM game on Wednesday night.

Both the Bristol Men’s and Women’s teams were slated to take on Bunker Hill Community College on Saturday, but the games have been rescheduled for Sunday, February 9^th.  The next Region XXI games will be at Quinsigamond Community College on January 23^rd.