Mattera, Moulton help MCLA women hold off Cobleskill 73-68 in season opener

North Adams, MA- Karina Mattera scored 19 points and Emily Moulton knocked down the game winning basket with 24 seconds remaining as MCLA held off a heroic effort from Cobleskill's Addy Lawson in a 73-68 win in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  The game marked the season opener for both programs.

After leading by as many as 19 in the first half and owning a 43-29 edge at halftime, the Trailblazers let Cobleskill inch back into the contest in the third quarter.  The Fighting Tigers would cut the deficit to 58-47 heading to the fourth and then rallied behind Lawson.  Lawson scored 13 of her game high 32 points in the fourth quarter.  With 52 seconds remaining, she drilled her fifth three pointer of the night to pull within 68-66, then stole the inbounds pass and her layup knotted the score at 68-68 forcing a Trailblazer timeout.  MCLA's Mattera drove to the hoop but missed, however L'Rae Brundige pulled down the board.  She would miss her attempt and Moulton corralled the ball.  With 24 seconds left, the lone senior on MCLA's roster swished home a ten foot jumper making it 70-68 and forcing Cobleskill to call timeout.

The Fighting Tigers Shaliyah Graham would drive the lane out of the timeout, however Moulton stepped in front and drew the offensive foul giving possession back to MCLA with now just 13 seconds left to play.  Forced to foul, MCLA sent Mckenzie Robinson to the free throw line.  She sank both attempts making it a two possession game.  Cobleskill's Lawson would get called for a travelling violation out of a double team in essence sealing the win for the Trailblazers.

In the opening half, Mattera was outstanding collecting 12 first half points as MCLA built their early 19 point edge.  Lawson scored the final five points of the half to keep the Tigers within reach.

Mattera would end with 19 points on 6-15 shooting.  She went 2-3 from beyond the arc.  Moulton just missed notching a double double ending with 11 points and a team best 9 rebounds.  She was a perfect 3-3 from the floor and 5-6 from the free throw line.  Sam Gawron ended with 13 points with a pair of triples.  Brundige came off the bench to score 10 points and grab 7 rebounds.  Robinson ended with 7 points and 6 assists.

MCLA shot 37% from the floor and withstood a 7-30 showing in the closing twenty minutes of action.  

Cobleskill's Lawson was 12-27 from the floor.  She went 5-11 from deep for her 32 point effort.  She also filled the stat sheet with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.  Lawson was the only Fighting Tiger in double figures.  Erica Cabrera and Shaliyah Graham each had 9 points in defeat.  

The Fighting Tigers shot just 36% from the floor and committed 20 turnovers in the loss.

MCLA is back in action on Saturday travelling to Western New England.