Hotaling, MCLA avenge earlier loss to Lancers, beat WSU 61-58

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's basketball team received a 21 point, 10 rebound effort from Kayla Hotaling as the Trailblazers defeated the Worcester State Lancers 61-58 in MASCAC action this afternoon from the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  With the win, the Trailblazers avenged an earlier loss to the Lancers as they improved to 11-8 overall and stand at 3-4 in conference play.  The Lancers drop to 5-14 overall and have a 2-5 mark in league play.

MCLA never trailed in the final quarter of play and was clinging to a 58-57 lead after WSU's TaNajia Smith went one of two from the line.  MCLA's Courtney Durivage connected from sixteen feet for a key bucket with 1:26 left to play pushing the lead to three points, but still left plenty of time for the Lancers.  Smith was sent to the line again and knocked another freebie down making it 60-58 in favor of MCLA.  The Trailblazers missed on the next possession giving the Lancers another shot.

MCLA dodged a bullet when Worcester missed twice in the paint on the next possession and the Lancers were forced to foul.  They sent Durivage to the line with 33 seconds left, but she promptly missed both giving WSU life and possession at midcourt following a timeout.  The Lancers, however, committed their 31^st turnover on the inbounds play and once again were forced to foul.  They sent Courtney McLaughlin to the stripe and she knocked down one of two making it 61-58 with 23 seconds left.

Forced to take a three pointer, the Lancers Brianna Hackett attempted a desperation three that was blocked by MCLA's Ashley Clawson and in effect preserved the victory for the Trailblazers.

The opening quarter began with MCLA scoring the first eight points of the game before the Lancers responded with six straight of their own to get back into it.  The rest of the first half was a back and forth affair as there was 10 lead changes and 3 ties.   Kayla Hotaling was outstanding in the first half scoring 13 points.

Both teams shot the ball well as MCLA went 15-32 from the floor (47%) and the Lancers went 12-21 (57%).  Worcester did turn the ball over 14 times in the half compared to just 9 for MCLA.

Hotaling went 9-20 from the floor for her 21 point effort.  She added 4 steals as well.  Karina Mattera added 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals for MCLA.  The Trailblazers ended the day shooting 37% from the floor.

For the Lancers, they were paced by Kaitlyn Berkel's team high 14 point effort.  Kate Suprenant added 12 points for Worcester.  Leading scorer Britt Herring was held in check with just 4 points, however she did pull down 11 rebounds.

MCLA attempted 28 more shots than the Lancers in the win.  WSU was able to stay close due to shooting the ball at a 49% clip.