Women's Basketball drops tough 48-46 decision to Worcester in MASCAC opener

Worcester, MA- Worcester State's Kaitlyn Berkel knocked down a pair of free throws with 19 seconds remaining and visiting MCLA's final shot rimmed out as the Lancers held off the Trailblazers 48-46 in the MASCAC opener for both teams.   The game was played at Clark University as the Lancers improve to 4-8 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season.  MCLA drops to 8-4 (0-1 MASCAC) overall.

The game was tight throughout as neither side led by more than seven points and featured 11 ties and 19 lead changes.  Entering the fourth quarter, MCLA led 37-33.  The Lancers quickly answered and eventually tied the game at 39-39 on a pair of Britt Herring free throws.  On the next Trailblazer possession, freshman McKenzie Robinson drilled a three giving the visitors a 42-39 lead with 3:34 left to play.

The lead was short lived as Brianna Hackett drained a three of her own just 16 seconds later and the game was tied once again.  After a defensive stop, Berkel converted in the paint to give the hosts the lead at 44-42, but MCLA captain Ashley Clawson delivered a triple from the top of the key giving MCLA the lead at 45-44 with just over two mintues to play.

Neither team would score again until under a minute remained and MCLA's Courtney Pingelski converted one of two at the line to make it 46-44.  Herring, who had a game high of 20 points, scored her final basket of the game off of a Kate Suprenant feed tying the game and giving MCLA possession with 40 seconds remaining.  

Out of a timeout, the Trailblazers turned the ball over and committed a foul sending Berkel to the line and she calmly drained them both giving Worcester the lead at 48-46.  Another timeout by MCLA with 19 seconds left set up the final possession.  Pingelski's jumper was blocked by Herring, but she got her own rebound.  Following another missed attempt, MCLA had the ball under the basket with just two seconds left.  Kayla Hotaling caught a pass in the right corner, but her jumper rimmed out preserving the win for the Lancers.

For MCLA, they were paced by Hotaling's 13 point effort, but she was just 6-16 from the floor.  MCLA got a nice spark of the bench from Samantha Gawron as she connected on a trio of three pointers in the third period for her 9 points.  MCLA shot just 33% in the game, including just 26% in the second half.

Herring collected her game high of 20 points on 8-11 shooting.  She tallied 14 points in the second half alone.  She added 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.  Berkel added 11 points for the Lancers with 9 rebounds.  WSU was hampered by 24 turnovers and 39% shooting.

MCLA will look to break into the win column on Saturday when they travel to Westfield State.