McLaughlin basket lifts MCLA, Stock to first win of season 56-55 over Dean
North Adams, MA- MCLA's Courtney McLaughlin scored on a back door cut with just 21 seconds remaining to lift the Trailblazers past visiting Dean College in women's basketball action in the Amsler Campus Center Gym. The win for MCLA marked the first in the career of head coach Loren Stock and improved the Trailblazers to 1-1 on the season.
Dean falls to 5-2 on the season.
After the game was tied at halftime, the visitors went up by nine points at 43-34 in the third quarter. MCLA gradually fought their way back and the final period was back and forth. In the final minute, the Trailblazers took the lead when Ashley Clawson drove to the basket for her first field goal of the game and MCLA led 54-52 with 51 seconds left.
On the next possession for the Bulldogs, Dean's Jeneffer Lang connected on a three pointer to put them up 55-54 with 30 seconds to play. After an MCLA timeout, the Trailblazers would inbound the ball to Kayla Hotaling who almost turned it over, but then found a wide open McLaughlin cutting to the right block and when the senior converted it was 56-55 in favor of MCLA.
Dean would turn the ball over on the next possession as Clawson came up with the steal and ultimately preserve the win as MCLA ran out the clock.
McLaughlin led MCLA a team best 16 points, 12 of which came in the opening half of play. She was 6-12 from the floor and added 5 boards and 2 steals. Hotaling ended with 13 points, including 9 in the second half. She finished off the double double with 10 rebounds. The Trailblazers shot just 38% in the win and overcame 26 turnovers.
For Dean, they were paced by Denisha Gardener's 17 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs. Chelsea Johnson ended with 15 points while Fataya Larry had 8 points and 10 boards. The Bulldogs were hampered by 26 turnovers of their own and shot just 33% from the floor.
MCLA will continue the homestand on Tuesday night when they host Becker College at 6pm in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.