Trailblazer women drop heartbreaker in overtime to Framingham 88-81

North Adams, MA- The Framingham State Women's basketball team rallied from a double digit deficit and went on to defeat the MCLA Trailblazers 88-81 in overtime this afternoon.  The Rams earned their first conference victory (1-3 MASCAC) as they improve to 7-8 on the season.  The Trailblazers drop to 4-12 overall and are still in search of their first MASCAC win (0-4 MASCAC).

Kristen Hoffman led all scorers with 27 points for the Rams.  Carlee Putnam tallied 20 points, including a strong second half showing in which she scored 18.

MCLA maintained the lead for most of the second half and led 70-66 with 1:46 to play.  The Rams Sarah Palace drained a triple to pull them within a point.  After MCLA scored on their next possession, Carlee Putnam tied the game knocking down another three and the game was tied at 72.  The Rams had a chance to end it in regulation as they turned over MCLA but Hoffman's three point attempt was off the mark and the game went into OT.

Hoffman knocked down two free throws in the opening minute of overtime to give the Rams their first lead since the opening half.  MCLA would tie it on a pair of Kayla Hotaling free throws, however the Rams would respond with six straight points to take control.  Putnam drained another three pointer and then Hoffman nailed her sixth and final trey of the night after MCLA missed on the other end. 

The Trailblazers would get within three one last time when Micheala Siver drilled a three of her own with 1:51 remaining in OT making it 82-79.  The Rams would answer though, holding MCLA without a field goal until the final seconds while scoring six of their own to pull away.

MCLA opened up an early five point lead only to see Framingham come right back and even things up.  The Rams eventually went up 18-15 on a three pointer from Hoffman, but following an MCLA timeout, the Trailblazers responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead at 22-18.   After trading baskets for a few minutes and MCLA now holding a 28-24 advantage, they rattled off nine straight points to take their largest first half lead at 37-24 with 6:13 left to play til halftime.  Framingham would pull to within seven points on two occasions before MCLA scored the final four points of the half to take a 47-36 lead into the locker room.

Hoffman was 9-22 from the floor, including 6-15 from beyond the arc.  She added 5 rebounds.  Putnam was 6-10 from the floor and would finish with 5 steals.  Nicole Bostic just missed a double double collecting 16 points and 9 rebounds.   She also led the team with 6 assists.

For MCLA, they were paced by Hotaling's double double effort of 18 points and 13 rebounds.  The game marked her season debut as she had been battling injuries all season.  Kaitlyn Chenevert led the Trailblazers with 19 points, however just 2 after halftime.  Siver finished 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Courtney Durivage had 10 points, all of which came in the opening half.

MCLA was hampered by 29 turnovers, 19 of which came after halftime.  The Rams committed 20.

The Trailblazers are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Westfield State.