Women's Basketball comeback falls just short in 55-53 loss to Curry

North Adams, MA- Curry's Emily Irwin knocked down a short jumper from the right corner with 3.6 seconds remaining to lift the visiting Colonels to a hard fought 55-53 non-conference win over MCLA this evening in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  Curry improves to 13-10 on the season while the Trailblazers drop to 5-17 overall.

Irwin did it all for Curry ending with a game best 18 points, but added 14 rebounds, 9 steals, and 7 assists in the win.

Curry led most of the first three quarters, but entered the fourth quarter knotted up at 40-40.  After MCLA took their first lead of the night and led 44-40, Curry answered with a 9-1 spurt to take a 49-45 lead with 5:24 remaining.  Peyton Perine scored five points in the key run for Curry.

MCLA would eventually claw their way back and tie it up at 53-53 with under a minute to play on Erika Ryan's jumper.  Each team came up empty on their next possessions, but Irwin had the equalizer after she came up with her ninth steal of the contest.  She dribbled over to the right wing and was pushed baseline.  Her floater from eight feet found the bottom and MCLA took a time out with just 3.6 seconds left to set up a final play.

Mckenzie Robinson had a great look for MCLA, but it wouldn't fall and Curry held on for the win.

Curry never trailed in the opening half of play as they quickly jumped out to an 8-0 lead as MCLA was scoreless through the games first five minutes.  MCLA would eventually find some footing and trim the deficit to just 10-7 following a pair of Courtney Pingelski free throws, but Curry would score the final four points of the quarter to take a 14-7 advantage after one period.

MCLA got as closed as two points at 16-14, but Curry answered with two straight buckets to keep the hosts at bay.  The Colonels opened up their largest first half lead after scoring the quarter's final five points to seize a 27-18 lead at halftime.

Curry held MCLA to just 24% shooting and forced 14 turnovers in the half. 

Irwin was just 5-15 from the floor but made up for that with 8 of her rebounds coming on the offensive end.  Perine ended with 12 points for Curry as she battled foul trouble most of the night.  Amanda Leal scored 10 points.

MCLA was paced by Hannah Mazzeo and Courtney Pingelski who each ended with 14 points.

Curry shot just 31% while MCLA ended at 35%.  MCLA was hurt by 25 turnovers in the contest.

MCLA will host Salem State on Wednesday in their home finale at 7:30pm.