Hotaling leads MCLA women to season opening 61-53 win over Daniel Webster

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's basketball team got a 15 point, 15 rebound effort from sophomore Kayla Hotaling as the Trailblazers held off a stubborn Daniel Webster team 61-53 this afternoon in the Amsler Campus Center.  The game marked the season openers for both teams.

Hotaling helped MCLA hold a commanding 58-34 edge on the glass.  Her efforts offset an outstanding performance from Ashley England, who notched a game high 23 points.

MCLA jumped ahead early in the opening half before going cold allowing DWU to take the lead. With the score at 7-4 in favor of the Trailblazers with 17:47 left in the opening half, MCLA would not score a point for the next nine minutes.  Over that span they went 0-8 from the floor and committed 9 turnovers. 

Daniel Webster used the cold spell to double up MCLA at 14-7, which was their largest lead of the game.  MCLA freshman Emily Moulton would finally break the ice with a jumper with 8:41 to play until halftime.  MCLA would evenutally battle to tie the game at 20, before McKenzie Stone's free throws gave DWU a 22-20 halftime lead.

MCLA would score the first seven points out of the locker room and wouldn't trail again.  Courtney McLaughlin scored four points in the run and MCLA would go up 33-26 on a Hotaling layup with 15:24 to play.  The visitors would get within two on several occasions, however each time MCLA would extend back out.  

With under two minutes to play, MCLA led just 53-50.  A Brayleigh Hanlon triple off an inbounds play pushed the lead to six and the Trailblazers were on their way.  

England was 9-14 from the floor for the Eagles.  Kayla Free chipped in with 9 points and a team high 11 rebounds.

Hotaling was just 5-13 from the floor and added a pair of blocked shots.  Hanlon added 14 points including a pair of three pointers.  Courtney Durivage collected 10 points off the bench.

MCLA was hampered by 26 turnovers while Daniel Webster contributed 19 of their own.  Both teams shot an identical 20-60 from the floor.

The Trailblazers are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to WNE.