Peabody Shines as Trailblazers Show Fight in High‑Energy Battle
MCLA fell in MASCAC play this afternoon.
WESTFIELD, Mass. – The MCLA Women's Basketball team took to the road this afternoon for Woodward Center at Westfield State University for a MASCAC matchup with the Owls. The Trailblazers struggled to keep pace with Westfield State's pressure defense and three‑point barrage on Saturday, falling 79–50 after a difficult shooting afternoon and a turnover‑filled contest.
THE BASICS
- Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Score: MCLA 50, Westfield 79
- Records: MCLA Trailblazers 0-15 (MASCAC 0-9) | Westfield State University Owls 14-7 (MASCAC 6-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Trailblazers opened the game with solid defensive pressure and took an early lead behind senior guard/forward Hailey Peabody (W. Springfield, MA), who scored MCLA's first seven points and continued to be a force inside all afternoon. Peabody finished with multiple layups, timely rebounds, and a three‑point play that briefly put the visitors ahead 5–3 in the opening quarter.
- From that point on, Westfield State's full‑court pressure began to swing momentum. A series of turnovers fueled a 16–3 Owls run, highlighted by threes from Kayley Downie, Sophia Rockwood, and Jailyn Garvin‑Martin, putting MCLA in a 19–10 deficit after one quarter.
- Despite strong individual play from Peabody, who scored repeatedly inside and rebounded well, the Trailblazers were held to 12 points in the frame. Westfield State pulled away to a 48–22 halftime lead behind a 29‑point quarter.
- MCLA showed resilience coming out of halftime. Junior guard Dakota Quick (Connelly, NY) hit a layup and a three, while sophomore guard Abigail Scialabba (Williamstown, MA) added two free throws and an assist. Peabody continued her standout performance with multiple finishes at the rim.
- The fourth quarter saw Westfield State once again turn turnovers into points. Caroline Galvani opened with a three, and the Owls' deep bench kept the pressure on. MCLA forced a few turnovers of their own, and Scialabba converted a three-pointer late in the game, while Quick knocked down another triple in the final seconds.
- Though Westfield State's full‑court pressure created challenges and turnovers for the Trailblazers, MCLA continued to compete on the boards, with Peabody, Quick, and senior forward Ashlyn Bill (Windham, CT) all grabbing important rebounds and forcing stops. The Trailblazers also put together a strong start to the third quarter, stringing together scoring plays and defensive stands to cut into the deficit.
- Peabody led all scorers with 26 points, while adding ten rebounds for her fourth double-double in her last seven games. Quick added 11 points as the Trailblazers featured the only players to reach double-digit point totals. The Owls were paced by nine points each for Tavi Williams, Rockwood, and Galvani. Williams also had a game-high 11 rebounds, one more than Peabody and sophomore forward Amare Williams (Woburn, MA), who led the road team.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Field Goals / %: MCLA 20-49 / 40.8%, Westfield 29-98 / 29.6%
- 3 Points / %: MCLA 4-21 / 19 %, Westfield 14-64 / 21.9%
- Free Throw / %: MCLA 6-6 / 100%, Westfield 7-14 / 50%
- Rebounds: MCLA 56, Westfield 43
- Points off Turnovers: MCLA 9, Westfield 42
- Second Chance Points: MCLA 4, Westfield 14
- Points in the Paint: MCLA 22, Westfield 18
- Bench Points: MCLA 0, Westfield 45
UP NEXT
On Monday, MCLA will be back in action when it travels to the Fuller Athletic Center at Anna Maria College for a MASCAC matchup with the Mascot. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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