MCLA Falls on Road to Lancers
Worcester, MA --- Junior Alexis George (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and sophomore Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) combined for 28 points while senior Bri Flanders (Southampton, MA) added 12 points to help lead Worcester State to a 74-57 win this evening over MCLA in MASCAC women's basketball action at the Lancer Gymnasium.
With the win the Lancers snap a three-game losing streak to improve to 10-9 and 4-3 in the conference while the Trailblazers fall to 12-6 and 2-5 in the MASCAC. WSC's total of 74 points also marks the highest output of the season eclipsing the previous mark set against Becker in a 70-46 victory.
George and Charette put up equal marks of 14 points while Flanders also grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists. Junior Becca Giguere (E. Brookfield, MA) had a great all around game with nine points, five assists and five boards while Giguere and Charette pooled together to swipe eight balls. Junior Kathleen Foley (Hudson, NH) also chipped in with nine points off the bench with three treys.
Freshman Lucy Tremblay (E. Greenbush, NY) tallied 15 points to lead four players in double-figure scoring for MCLA. Junior Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) had a double-double with 10 points and 12 caroms while senior Jade Prickett (Westhampton, MA) and junior Molly Broda (Southampton, MA) each recorded 11 points apiece.
The opening stanza started off back and forth with three ties and a pair of lead changes. With the contest knotted 12-12 midway thru the period, Worcester State used a 9-1 run to open up a 21-13 advantage at 7:56. The Trailblazers stormed back as they outscored WSC 12-5 over the next six minutes to close the gap to one point (26-25) with 1:53 left, but Giguere converted a lay-up to give the Lancers a three point cushion at the half
Worcester State started off the frame with a 9-2 run - with six points coming off four turnovers - as the Blue and Gold opened up a 37-27 lead at 14:57. MCLA got as close as eight four times over the next two minutes, before the Lancers went on a 16-6 spurt to balloon the advantage to 18 with 6:42 left (59-41). WSC would continue to pile on the points as they would have a nice 24 point edge with a minute to play (74-50) as they cruised ahead for the victory.
In the second period alone, the Lancers forced 14 MCLA miscues - due in large part to 10 steals - as they scored 13 of their 46 points off of turnovers. For the game, Worcester State held a slim margin in total rebounds (32-19), but doubled up the visitors with an 11-5 edge on the offensive glass. The Trailblazers also shot poorly from the charity stripe as connected for just 56 percent of their attempts (14-for-25).
Both teams will play conference opponents on Tuesday at 5:30. The Blue and Gold will head west down the Mass Pike to face off against Westfield State while MCLA entertains Salem State.