Trailblazer women hold off Simmons, earn sixth straight win 53-43

North Adams, MA- It was a tale of two halves for the MCLA Women's Basketball team Saturday afternoon as the Trailblazers held off the visiting Simmons College Sharks 53-43 at the Amsler Campus Center.  The win marked the sixth straight for MCLA (6-2), however the home team had to hold on down the stretch after leading by as many as 26 points in the third quarter.  Simmons falls to 2-4.

MCLA led comfortably 36-15 at the half, and rebounded after Simmons made a run out of the locker room to lead 48-22 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.  Simmons would then gradually claw their way back into the game by not allowing a Trailblazer field goal over the final quarter of play. 

Simmons bridged a 21-3 spurt over the end of the third quarter and the first nine minutes of the final quarter to get within eight points at 51-43 with just 56 seconds remaining.  The Sharks had a chance to further slice into the lead, however MCLA got a stop and canned a pair of free throws to hold on for the win.

MCLA wasted little time in taking control as they never trailed in the opening half.  They scored the game's first eight points over the opening four minutes forcing six turnovers and Simmons missed their first four shots.  The Trailblazers led 19-7 after the first quarter.

MCLA opened the second quarter in similar fashion again scoring the first eleven points to move out to a 30-7 advantage, their largest lead of the half.  Their defense held Simmons scoreless in the period until three minutes remaining.  The hosts would settle on a 36-15 lead at halftime as they held Simmons to just 22% shooting and their defensive pressure forced 17 turnovers. 

The Trailblazers placed four players in double figures led by Kayla Hotaling's double-double effort of 11 points and 11 rebounds.  She added 5 blocked shots as well.  Ashley Clawson, Courtney Pingelski, and McKenzie Robinson all ended with 10 points and Clawson dished out 6 assists in the win.  MCLA shot just 37% from the floor, including a 5-17 (29%) showing in the closing half.  They also got sloppy with the ball turning it over 26 times on the afternoon.

Simmons was paced by Presley Silva's 8 points.  Ashley McAdams hauled in 14 rebounds to go with 7 points.  The Sharks were hurt by shooting 26% and committing 29 turnovers in the contest.

The Trailblazers will seek their seventh straight win when they host Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday night at 5:30pm.