Hotaling's big second half pushes Trailblazers past SVC 68-59

North Adams, MA- MCLA's Kayla Hotaling poured in twenty of her game high 26 points in the closing half as the Trailblazers used a strong fourth quarter to outlast visiting Southern Vermont 68-59 in non conference women's basketball action.  With the win, the Trailblazers improve to 8-3 while the Mountaineers fall to 6-3 on the season.  Both teams were coming off 23 day layoffs from semester break.

Hotaling went 10-14 from the floor and 6-7 from the foul line for her 26 points.  She completed the double double by snagging 10 boards.  She was the only Trailblazer to finish in double figures.

MCLA led 33-28 at halftime and then 41-32 in the third quarter before SVC made a run.  The visitors went on an 11-2 spurt to knot the game at 43-43 late in the quarter.  The Trailblazers would eventually pull ahead and lead 46-45 entering the final quarter of play.

SVC's Turquoia Johnson converted to give the Mountaineers the lead at 47-46, their first edge since early in the first quarter, but Hotaling immediately took over.  The junior converted in the paint and then a pair at the stripe to put MCLA back on top at 50-47.  SVC would battle to tie the game once more at 52-52, but the Trailblazers would score 13 straight to surge in front and hold off the visitors.  Hotaling had six points in the pivotal run while Samantha Gawron knocked down two key shots in the run as well.

MCLA controlled most of the first half as they trailed on just one occasion early in the contest.  When McKenzie Robinson drilled a three pointer as the first quarter expired, the Trailblazers led 17-9, their largest lead of the first half.  SVC quickly cut the deficit to 17-13 when Amber Dow connected from the short corner, however the Trailblazers immediately pushed back out to a seven point advantage. 

MCLA's Emily Moulton connected on a twelve footer giving the Trailblazers a 33-26 edge in the final minute before the half ended, however Shaniquewa Barnes converted a layup as time expired making the score 33-28 in favor of MCLA at halftime.  Each team shot a respectable 43% from the floor in the half, but the Mountaineers were hampered by committing 14 first half turnovers compared to just 9 for MCLA.

Southern Vermont put four players in double figures led by Amber Flagg's team best 13 points.  She added 4 assists.  Amber Dow and Kala MacKenzie each had 12 points and MacKenzie finished with a game high 15 caroms.  Shaniquewa Barnes came off the bench to add 10 points and collect 8 rebounds.

SVC was held to just 33% from the floor in the second half and finished with 25 turnovers in defeat.

Courtney Durivage added 11 rebounds for MCLA in teh win.  Courtney McLaughlin aided the offense with a game best 5 assists.

The Trailblazers will begin conference play on Wednesday night when they travel to Worcester State to battle the Lancers.