MCLA Falls at Buzzer to Framingham

Thursday, January 22, 2009
MCLA Women Fall at the Buzzer
Framingham 51 - MCLA 49

NORTH ADAMS, MA - Just a week earlier MCLA pulled off last minute heroics, but tonight the story would end differently for the Trailblazers. Jill Johnson's (Mansfield, MA) drive to the basket with just seconds left gave Framingham a 51-49 lead with two seconds remaining.

The first half was pretty quiet for both teams with the Rams taking a 25-21 lead into the break.

Starting off slow, MCLA inched their way back in the second half behind the three point shooting of Ali Leveille (Southampton, MA) and the Trailblazers took their first lead of the game at 33-31 with 13 minutes left. MCLA would build a game high ten point lead with eight minutes left, but the Rams went on a 7-0 run to close the gap. Leveille cooled the run wit her forth three-pointer of the half.

With just over a minute remaining and the score at 49-44 in favor of the hosts, Framingham's Kate Simonelli (Pittsfield, MA) was fouled while shooting. She was credited with the hoop and sunk the extra point bring her team within two. After an untimely turnover by the Trailblazers, Simonelli would drive the lane tieing the game at 49 a piece. After a timeout, MCLA attempted the game winner but came up short. Simonelli grabbed the rebound and found Johnson breaking out. With the seconds winding down Johnson's basket gave the Rams the win.

GAME NOTES:
Ali Leveille scored a season high 19 points. She also finished with season highs going 5-8 (.625) from behind the arch and 7-13 (.538) from the floor.

On Saturday, Framingham (8-9, 2-3) will travel to MASCAC leader Westfield State for a 1:00 game.

Also on Saturday, MCLA (10-6, 1-3) will host Fitchburg State for a 2:00 game.