Albany, NY –The Sage College's men's basketball team hosted the Trailblazers of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Tuesday night in a non-conference match-up in Kahl Gym. The host Gators posted a 79-59 win to improve to 11-3 overall and extend their win streak to five games. MCLA drops to 5-11 on the year.

Sage led 36-28 at the break as senior forward Kai Deans (Miami, FL/Monsignor Pace) led all players in the first half as he had 12 points with eight rebounds. The Skyline Conference Co-player of the Week and the ECAC Division III Metro Co-Player of the Week, Deans finished with a double-double on 17 points and 14 rebounds with three blocked shots.

Senior Troy Nwanna (Washington, DC/Mercerburg Academy) finished with a career-high 20 points, bettering his previous high of 17 points. He had 17 points in the second half after shooting 6-8 from the floor with a pair of three-point baskets.

Junior Melvin Ford (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) added 11 points and six rebounds for the Gators as they held a 55-44 margin on the boards.

MCLA's sophomore guard Careem Kirksey (Boston, MA/Jeremiah Burke) finished with 11 points for the Trailblazers, while senior forward Kraig Paige (Brooklyn, NY/Burnt Hills) added six points and a team-best nine rebounds. Sophomore center Dakari Hannah-Wornum (Boston, MA/Dorchester) added seven rebounds and four blocked shots with three points off the bench for MCLA.

Sage returns to action on Jan. 22 hosting Purchase College in a 7:30 p.m. Skyline Conference game, while MCLA is back in action on Jan. 24 hosting Westfield State at 3 p.m. in a MASCAC contest.