Cold Stretch dooms MCLA women in 58-52 road loss to Utica

Utica, NY- The MCLA Women's basketball team opened up an eight point second half lead, however Utica held the Trailblazers to just four points over the final 11:15 as they rallied for a 58-52 victory over the Trailblazers.  Utica is now 4-3 on the season while MCLA falls to 3-2.

After the first half ended tied at 30, MCLA asserted themselves early on in the closing half.  MCLA would open on a 14-6 spurt to grab their largest lead at 44-36 with 15:50 remaining.  Brayleigh Hanlon started the spurt with a pair of three pointers, while classmate Kayla Hotaling finished it with six straight points for the Trailblazers.

Utica would respond with a quick 5-0 to inch closer to MCLA at 44-41, but the visitors pushed back out to a 48-43 advantage on Emily Moulton's jumper with 11:15 to play.  From there, MCLA would struggle to score.  Utica used the drought to go on a game changing 10-0 run to snag a 53-48 lead with 7:02 left to play.

Ashley Clawson and Hanlon finally converted a pair of jumpers with under five minutes to play to pull MCLA within a point at 53-52, however the Trailblazers wouldn't score again.  They went 0-4 from the floor and committed four turnovers in the closing minutes.  Utica would pull away by making some free throws down the stretch.

The Trailblazers were paced by Hotaling's 12 points and 9 rebounds.  She added 5 blocked shots.  Hanlon was the only other player in double figures ending the night with 10 points.  Emily Castle collected 8 caroms as well.  MCLA was hampered by 19 turnovers.

Utica was led by Mary Miceli's game high 15 points.  Samantha Stayer just missed a double double collecting 14 points and 9 rebounds. 

MCLA will travel to play Norwich in the opening round of the Hackenberry Classic Friday night.