Trailblazers drop MASCAC opener to Salem State

Salem, MA- The MCLA Women's basketball team opened up MASCAC play Tuesday night, dropping a 76-68 decision to the Vikings.  The loss, MCLA's fifth in six outings, drops the Trailblazers to 6-7 overall, 0-1 in the conference.  Salem State improves to 2-0 in the MASCAC, 6-8 overall.

Freshman Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) had 16 points and 15 rebounds for Salem, while Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) hit a back-breaking three-pointer for the Vikings, who were winless in MASCAC play last season.

After trailing for most of the first half and at halftime, the Vikings took the lead for good when Tara Driscoll (Swampscott, MA) hit a three-pointer in the opening seconds of the second half. Salem State scored the first six points after intermission to lead 35-31.

The Vikings expanded their lead to seven, 41-34 on Carter's three-pointer , but the Trailblazers came right back and cut the lead to three on consecutive hoops by Olivia McMullen (Broadalbin, NY) and Alie Dobrovolc (Little Falls, NY). Sandra Lanier (Groton, MA) provided a spark for the Vikings off the bench, as she scored three straight baskets to help maintain their lead.

Meanwhile, Lucy Tremblay (East Greenbush, NY) scored 10 straight points for MCLA, the last of which was a three-pointer with 10 minutes remaining to trim the Trailblazers' deficit to 51-50.

Driscoll hit another three to give Salem State some breathing room, 56-50, but MCLA battled back and had the chance to tie or take the lead. Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) missed a layup in traffic, and Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, MA) converted a transition layup and foul shot to boost the Vikings advantage to five, 59-54 with 5:01 left.

After the Trailblazers cut the deficit to four, 60-56, Barry drilled a three from the corner to give the Vikings a seven-point lead with 3:40 remaining. MCLA would get no closer the rest of the game.

Carter was Salem State's leading scorer despite shooting just 4-of-13 from the field. She was 8-10 from the line. Comeau also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Driscoll added 10 points, including 3-4 from three-point range.

Salem State minimized the impact of Wehner, who torched the Vikings for 32 points and 25 rebounds a year ago. Wehner finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, but was just 4-9 from the field and never got into rhythm thanks to the stifling defense of the Salem State post players. Dobrovolc led all scorers with 17 points but she shot just 6-20 from the field. Tremblay added 12 for the Trailblazers who shot just 33% from the field for the game.

Salem State will face Framingham State at 7:00 PM next Tuesday while MCLA hosts Worcester State at 3:00 PM on Saturday.