MCLA falls to MASCAC front runner Bridgewater State 62-57
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's basketball team fell to MASCAC front runner Bridgewater State University 62-57 this evening. With the setback, MCLA is now 9-9 overall, 3-3 in the MASCAC. The Bears improve to 11-6, 5-1 in the conference.
The Bears Shelly Depina scored a game high 20 points including the 1,000th of her career. She completed the double double by adding 10 rebounds. Bridgewater overcame 25 turnovers to earn the victory.
After holding the lead for much of the second half, MCLA tied the game at 55 with 2:32 remaining on Katelyn Chenevert's free throws. The teams would go scoreless into the final minute until DePina notched her milestone basket with 30 seconds remaining after a runner on the right side of the paint. She couldn't convert the three point play, however Megan Boutilette grabbed her 16th rebound of the night, which led to Jenna Williamson getting fouled for the Bears.
Williamson connected on both free throws to grab a 59-55 lead with just 22 seconds left. Trailblazer Alie Dobrovolc went straight to the basket to cut the lead in half, but MCLA was forced to foul immediately. After sending BSU's DePina to the line, the senior connected on one of two pushing the margin to three.
MCLA had a chance to tie, however Jen Wehner's three point effort was short. BSU's Williamson iced the game with another pair of free throws with just a second remaining to provide the final margin.
The opening twenty minutes saw quick bursts from both offenses as each team took turns taking the lead. Early on in the first half, MCLA jumped out to a 17-10 lead following a pair of Alie Dobrovolc free throws with 11:10 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Dobrovolc picked up her second personal foul. The Bears responded with a quick 8-0 run to take their first lead of the opening period at 18-17. The Bears' Alana Watkins came off the bench to score six straight points in the spurt.
The Trailblazers had an answer though, responding with a 10-3 run of their own to lead 27-21 late in the half. BSU came right back this time using a 9-1 run to jump out to a 30-28 lead. Shelly Depina knocked down a three pointer in the spurt to give the Bears the lead. It was short lived however as back to back buckets by MCLA's Olivia McMullen and Lucy Tremblay in the closing minute gave the hosts a 32-30 lead at halftime.
The Bears were hurt by 15 first half turnovers as opposed to 5 for MCLA.
For MCLA, Dobrovolc finished with a team high 17 points. Wehner added 12 points, but was held to just 7 rebounds. Chenevert chipped in with 10 points.
For the Bears, Alana Watkins aided DePina's efforts collecting 13 points off the bench. Bridgewater held commanding 46-28 edge off the glass, including Boutilette's 17.
MCLA will next host Sage College in a non league matchup this Saturday.