MCLA drops non conference tilt to West Conn 62-48

North Adams, MA- The visiting Western Connecticut State Colonials used a strong defensive effort as they clamped down on MCLA defeating the Trailblazers 62-48 in a non conference tilt this evening in North Adams.  The Colonials improve to 9-5 overall, while MCLA dropped their second straight falling to 8-6.

The visitors forced MCLA into 31 turnovers on the night.  They also controlled the glass, outrebounding MCLA by a wide margin, 54-28, including 28 on the offensive glass to offset a cold shooting night.

After MCLA claimed a one point halftime edge, the visitors quickly seized control early in the second half.  With the game knotted at 28, West Conn took the lead for keeps on a layup from Carly Murphy with 14:23 to play.  MCLA would keep it close over the next several minutes before the Colonials used a decisive run to put the game out of reach.

With the score at 35-32 in favor of WCSU, the visitors went on a 19-5 run to take an insurmountable 54-37 lead with just 3:37 to play.  MCLA never mounted a threat after that.

The opening half saw sloppy play on both sides as the squads combined for 31 first half turnovers while shooting a combined 24.5% from the floor.  West Conn held the lead for much of the half until Trailblazer Lucy Tremblay drilled a three pointer with under six minutes to play giving the hosts a 12-10 lead.  The visitors came back to tie the game at 16 before MCLA scored the next three, only to see the Colonials Nicole Eanniello can a runner in the lane as time expired making the halftime score 19-18 in favor of MCLA.

West Conn was led by Sha'Quira Palmer and Caroline Brasa who each finished with 15 points.  They both collected 9 rebounds as well. Eanniello chipped in with 10 points.  Carly Murphy added 9 boards. 

MCLA was led once again by Tremblay who was the only player in double figures, finishing with a game high 26 points.  She added 7 rebounds.

Another key stat was that the visitors attempted 72 field goals opposed to just 46 for MCLA.  WCSU only shot 31% for the game compared to 37% for the hosts.

MCLA will return to MASCAC action on Saturday when they travel to Worcester State at 3pm.