MCLA falters late in loss to Smith 64-59
North Adams, MA- Smith College's Rosa Drummond collected 20 points, including a trio of decisive three pointers in the final two minutes, in leading the Pioneers past MCLA 64-59 Wednesday evening. Jen Wehner finished with a double double of 20 points and 12 boards to pace MCLA.
Smith improves to 8-2, while MCLA enters the break at 5-4.
After Smith controlled play in the opening half and led 35-28 at the break. MCLA began to cut into the lead early in the second period. With Smith holding a 45-35 lead, the Pioneers began to go cold. MCLA would go on a 14-4 run mid way through the period to tie the score at 49. Smith did not score a point for nearly six minutes in the spurt.
The game would seesaw over the next few minutes leading to Drummond's barrage at the end. With MCLA holding a slim 55-53 after a Lucy Tremblay free throw, Drummond connected from the top of the key putting Smith up 56-55 with 2:13 to play. After a defensive stop, Smith's Devon Quattrochi hit the back end of a two shot foul pushing the lead to two.
MCLA's Alie Dobrovolc slashed to the bucket tying the game at 57 apiece with 1:12 left. Drummond answered quickly with a triple off a nice feed from Quattrochi on the next possession. Tremblay answered for the Trailblazers with a jumper, but Drummond once again buried the dagger with 25 seconds left in regulation.
The opening period was controlled by Smith. MCLA scored the opening four points of the game before Smith answered with a 9-0 run to take an early 9-4 advantage. MCLA quickly responded to tie the game before the Pioneers used another burst to open up their largest lead of the half at 29-17. The Trailblazers responded with an 11-6 spurt to close the margin to 35-28 at the break.
Wehner single handedly kept MCLA in the contest as she tallied 14 points and 8 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. MCLA committed 15 turnovers in the opening period compared to 8 for the Pioneers. For Smith, BelBruno scored 13 points in the period in only 11 minutes.
Tremblay would finish with 20 points for MCLA while Dobrovolc would also finish with a double double with 13 points and 11 boards.
Aside from Drummond, Smith received 13 points from Lizzy BelBruno, all in the first half. Quatrocchi would finish with 12 points, 6 assists, 7 steals, and 5 rebounds.
MCLA was hurt by 28 turnovers in defeat.
The Trailblazers are off until they travel to Southern Maine on December 29th.