Cold Second half dooms MCLA as they fall at Westfield 58-42
The MCLA Women's basketball team was outscored 40-15 in the second half in a 58-42 loss at rival Westfield State. With the loss, the Trailblazers drop to 13-8 overall, 2-7 in the MASCAC.
Westfield, MA- The MCLA Women's basketball team was outscored 40-15 in the second half in a 58-42 loss at rival Westfield State. With the loss, the Trailblazers drop to 13-8 overall, 2-7 in the MASCAC.
Freshman guard Briana Kelly (Hampden/Minnechaug) scored a game-high 16 points and junior reserve forward Christal Bello (West Boylston) had 15 points to power Westfield State to the second-half comeback victory.
The huge second-half rally gave the Owls (8-14 overall, 2-8 MASCAC) their second conference victory. The Owls, sparked by a suffocating zone defense, outscored the Trailblazers 26-3 over the final 11:25 and finished the game with an 18-0 run in front of a large and vocal home crowd. Westfield trailed 27-18 at halftime but outscored MCLA, 40-15, in the second half.
MCLA led by seven, 39-32, following two 3-point baskets from senior guard Ali Leveille (Southampton/Hampshire Regional). MCLA scored its final field goal on Hilary Perks' layup with 9:54 remaining, and Perks tallied the final point on a free throw for a 42-40 MCLA lead with 7:50 remaining.
The Owls, who registered most of their 19 steals in the second half, began their impressive 18-0 run to close out the game. Bello tied the scored with a 10-foot jumper from the wing and Kelly converted an offensive rebound into a lay-in for a 44-42 Westfield advantage with 6:22 remaining.
Along with their strong defensive effort, the Owls pounded the boards and shifted their fastbreak into high gear in the second half to offset a poor first-half shooting performance (8 for 32 from the field).
MCLA committed 27 turnovers to Westfield's 12 and the Owls controlled the glass 46-36.
Junior forward Ashley Finnegan (Worcester) posted another double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and also had four steals and three assists. Kelly and Bello both grabbed six rebounds.
Sophomore forward Jen Wehner was MCLA's only player in double figures with 11 points, including nine in the first half. Wehner also had game highs of 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. Jade Prickett (Westhampton) had eight points and seven rebounds.