Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Sports

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It's déjà vu all over again for Bridgewater State as the Men's basketball squad took the MASCAC tournament title for the second time in as many years. The Bears clinched an NCAA tournament berth with the win Saturday over Framingham State 74-70 in an overtime thriller that will be remembered for years to come.

BSC had key performances from the bench late as players like Nathan Miller and Samuel Johnson came through with big plays in the clutch while point guard Matt Mclaughlin had arguably his best game of the year for the Bears.

Coach Joe Farroba, in his 18th year at BSC, has this team playing at a higher level than ever as the Bears have made the NCAA tournament for the for the third time under Farroba and only the fifth time in school history. Last year the Bears, much to the surprise of many, made it to the Sweet 16 defeating Saint Joeseph's of Maine in the first round at BSC in what, at the time, was the biggest home victory in the history of Bridgewater State basketball.

The conference title success equals some of the gratification that the Bears have been working for all year long.

"We have worked so hard all season long and all offseason." said guard Corey Connor "After the game we talked about how we were all thinking that Framingham does not work as hard as us and that there was no way we could lose that game."

The Bears may not have the size down low and offensive fire power after losing Roland Millien and Stace Garrick from last year's squad but their extra effort on the defensive end has them back in the NCAA tournament again.

"The key to our success is our defense because we get a lot of easy baskets like layups and transition threes out of our defense." Said Connor "If we come out and play defense and rebound we can beat any team in the country."

While the Bears have lost of some key contributors from last year, Bridgewater state is returning a majority of the players from last year's Sweet 16 team.

For Miller, not winning a MASCAC Championship would be strange. A Freshman last year he experienced a very successful run with the team.

"This is my second year, so I know nothing but winning championships here at BSC. We have started off strong and I am hoping to continue winning for the next two years," said the Bear's guard.

Continued...

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