Traiblazer defense leads them past Norwich 55-50 in women's basketball

North Adams, MA- The MCLA women's basketball team rode a strong third quarter as they went on to defeat the visiting Norwich Cadets 55-50 in non league action from the Amsler Campus Center.  The Trailblazers held the Cadets scoreless over the first 7:16 of the third quarter to build a lead that they wouldn't relinquish.  With the win, the Trailblazers are now 13-11 on the season while the Cadets have an identical mark as well.

After the Cadets led 29-27 at halftime they went cold to start the third period.  Over the first 7:16 of the quarter, MCLA would use an 11-0 spurt to seize a 38-29 advantage.  The Trailblazer defense held Norwich to an 0-9 start from the floor and forced 7 turnovers in that time frame.  MCLA led by ten at 41-31 and eventually went into the fourth quarter leading 44-37 after a McKenzie Robinson score in the waning seconds.

The Cadets would claw to within three points at 48-45 on a Vanessa Fleury layup with 3:33 remaining, but Ashley Clawson would convert a fast break layup pushing the lead to five.  Her layup was the start of a 7-0 run that put the game away as Norwich wouldn't get closer than five the rest of the way.

The opening quarter was back and forth and ended with MCLA holding a slim 11-9 advantage.  Norwich eventually gained the edge in the second quarter.  The Cadets were trailing 18-17 with 5:51 left til halftime when they went on an 8-0 spurt to grab their largest lead of the half at 25-18 with 3:36 to play in the half.   Then, with 1:30 on the clock, the visitors led 29-23 until MCLA scored the final four points of the half to close within a pair at 29-27.

Courtney Pingelski paced the offense for MCLA in the opening half with 10 points off the bench while Norwich's Heather LeBlanc also had 10 for the visitors.

Pingelski led the Trailblazers with 16 points which included four three pointers.  Karina Mattera was the other Trailblazer in double figures with 10 points.  Kayla Hotaling was held to 6 points, but did pull down a game best 16 boards.

For Norwich, they were paced by LeBlanc's double double effort of 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Her teammate Arianna Harrison also scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.  The Cadets held a decisive 47-34 edge off the glass but were hampered by 27 turnovers.

MCLA wraps up regular season play on Saturday when they host Bridgewater State in the senior day finale.