Women's Basketball preparing to face top seeded Westfield State on Thursday at 7pm
North Adams, MA- The MCLA women's basketball team is fresh off a win over fifth seeded Salem State on Tuesday evening. With that victory, the Trailblazers will have a date with the conference's top seed and regular season champion, the Westfield State Owls, in tomorrow's MASCAC semifinal round. The Owls earned a first round bye in the postseason tournament.
The Trailblazers earned their first conference tournament appearance and victory since the 2012 season. MCLA, seeded fourth in this year's tournament, upended Salem State 67-53 on Tuesday night. While the Trailblazers may be riding high, they will have a tough matchup on Thursday.
The Owls prevailed in both meetings this season in convincing fashion. Back in January at the Woodward Center, the Owls handed the Trailblazers a 90-69 defeat. The rematch in North Adams ended with the Owls earning a 105-66 win. The offensive outbursts by the Owls were the two highest point totals allowed by the Trailblazers this season.
MCLA head coach Holly McGovern has been in this position before and she believes her program is prepared for the challenge. McGovern stated "We need to cut down on the turnovers (from previous games) which will in turn lead to more scoring opportunities, if we fill the passing lanes effectively, we should have some high percentage looks."
For the Trailblazers to be effective, they will need to neutralize the 2016 MASCAC player of the year Jill Valley. The guard is averaging 17.6 points and is shooting a MASCAC leading 43% from beyond the arc. MCLA will also have their hands full with Owl center Forbasaw Nkamebo. The senior is averaging 14.8 ppg and 8.7 rebounds a night. Nkamebo was also a first team All MASCAC selection. MCLA will also have to contend with the Owls pace of play. Westfield has employed an up tempo style in which the frequently substitute five players every minute in an effort to keep up the pressure and intensity.
As has been the case all season long, the Trailblazers will rely upon All MASCAC selection Kayla Hotaling and freshman Karina Mattera for offense. The duo combined for 29 points in the win over the Vikings, while Hotaling controlled the glass pulling down 19 rebounds. MCLA will also have to shoot better from beyond the arc as the previous two meetings have resulted in an 8-38 showing (21%).
The Trailblazers will be seeking their first trip to the MASCAC championship game since 2012 while the Owls lost in that round one year ago. The winner of Thursday's matchup will challenge either #3 seed Bridgewater State or #2 seed Framingham State on Saturday at a site to be determined.