Hotaling collects double double, but Trailblazers fall 83-52 to Rams

North Adams, MA- The visiting Framingham State women's basketball team received 26 points from Raegan Mulherin while Tiphani Harris and Monta Connolly collected double doubles as they cruised past the MCLA Trailblazers 83-52 in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  With the win, the Rams improve to 16-6 overall and are 8-2 in the MASCAC.  MCLA evens their mark at 11-11 on the season and sit at 3-7 in conference play.

Mulherin was 8-15 from the floor including a solid 4-8 from beyond the arc.  She added 4 rebounds and 4 steals.  Connolly went 6-13 from the field and notched 14 points while collecting 12 caroms.  Connolly also shared the ball well collecting 5 assists.  Harris came off the bench and scored 10 points and snagged 12 boards.  Alycia Rackliffe added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots in the win.  Lauren Donahue notched a game best 6 assists for the Rams.

The opening quarter started with MCLA scoring the first five points on a McKenzie Robinson triple and a Karina Mattera drive the bucket.  The Rams would answer though using a 13-0 run to claim control.  MCLA would eventually claw their way back and tie the game at 15-15 with just 1:57 left in the opening quarter.  After matching baskets made it 17-17, the Rams Tiphani Harris would connect giving them a 19-17 lead after one.

The visitors opened the second quarter on a 15-2 run to seize their largest lead of the half at 34-19 with 5:28 left til halftime.  They would eventually cruise into halftime leading 42-29.  Both teams struggled holding onto the ball as they combined for 26 first half turnovers.  The Rams did share the ball well in the opening half of play assisting on 12 of their 19 made field goals.  Mulherin scored 12 in the half while Rackliffe added 10. 

MCLA never threatened in the second half as the Rams quickly moved out to a twenty point advantage.  They held MCLA to just 23 second half points as they continued to pull away.

Kayla Hotaling scored 21 points and grabbed a game best 14 rebounds in a losing effort.  Karina Mattera added 16 points for the Trailblazers.

MCLA was held to just 29% shooting in the contest while the Rams converted at a 44% clip.  MCLA committed 24 turnovers while the Rams had 21 of their own.

MCLA will travel to Fitchburg State on Saturday for a 1pm tilt while the Rams will be off for a week before hosting Worcester State.