MCLA women defeat Becker as McGovern notches 100th career win
Leicester, MA- The MCLA women's basketball team went on the road and defeated the Becker College Hawks 60-53 Tuesday night. The win marked the 100th in the career of MCLA Head Coach Holly McGovern. McGovern already held the all time record for wins as coach of the Trailblazers' basketball program.
The Trailblazers improve to 2-3 on the season while Becker falls to 0-5.
MCLA placed three players in double figures. Kaitlyn Chenevert led the team with 14 points. Brayleigh Hanlon collected her first career double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Ashley Clawson chipped in with 10 points.
Becker was paced by Tatiana Mojica's 17 points and 13 rebounds. Haley Ooms added 13 points and Brooke Martel finished with 10 points.
Becker scored the game's first four points, the only time they would lead all night. MCLA responded with a 17-2 run to jump out to a 17-6 lead with twelve minutes to go in the half. The Trailblazers moved out to a 25-14 lead until Becker closed the half with a 6-0 run to make it a five point game at halftime.
The Hawks got within four early in the second half at 27-23, but MCLA quickly answered again with a 7-0 run to grab a 34-23 lead with under 16 minutes to play. The Trailblazers would maintain a double digit lead for much of the half extending to as many as 17 points at 49-32 on a three pointer from Courtney McLaughlin with 8:28 to play.
Becker would mount a run though, using a 14-2 spurt to pull within five at 51-46 on a pair of Ooms free throws. MCLA responded with a pair of free throws of their own and sealed the victory when McLaughlin converted a layup with 30 seconds left to give them an insurmountable 59-51 lead.
Both teams shot poorly as MCLA was just 21-80 from the field. Becker finished at 38%, however they were doomed by 28 turnovers in the loss.
MCLA also held a commanding 59-43 rebounding advantage.
The Trailblazers will be back at home on Sunday when they battle cross town foe Williams College at 4pm.