MCLA falls to host Norwich 67-50 in Hockenbury Classic opener

Norwich, VT- The host Norwich Cadets received 18 points from Aliah Curry and used a first half closing 13-1 spurt to defeat the MCLA Trailblazers 67-50 in the opening game of the Ed Hockenbury Classic this evening.  With the win, Norwich improves to 5-1 and will play in the championship game tomorrow.  MCLA drops their second straight and falls to 3-3.  The Trailblazers Saturday opponent will be the loser of UM Fort Kent and Vermont Tech.

Early on in the opening half MCLA held the lead.  The led by as many as six points before Norwich would battle back and eventually tie the score at 26.  From there, the Cadets would rattle off a 13-1 spurt over the final 6:03 to grab a commanding 39-27 lead at halftime. Norwich's Heather LeBlanc had six points in the game changing closing run.

The hosts immediately increased their lead to 18 points out of the locker room and never looked back.  MCLA never cut the deficit to single digits and Norwich clamped down on defense to secure the victory.  They led by as many as 22 in the second half.

Curry was 4-9 from the floor, but a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line for her 18 points.  Kelsey Lotti chipped in with 13 points.  Norwich shot 42% from the field, but they capitalized on MCLA's 25 turnovers by scoring 24 points off them.

MCLA was paced by Brayleigh Hanlon's team high 13 points.  Kayla Hotaling battled foul trouble and finished with 11 points.  Ashley Clawson collected 10 points and pulled down a game high 8 rebounds.  MCLA shot just 35% from the floor.

The Traillblazers will play tomorrow at 1pm in the consolation game.