Women's Hoop drops heartbreaker in OT to Bridgewater 64-63
North Adams, MA- Bridgewater State's Nicole Bostick knocked down a pair of free throws with just four seconds left in overtime to lift the visiting Bears to a thrilling 64-63 win over the MCLA Trailblazers in MASCAC action. Bostick was fouled attempting a three pointer and made the first two FT's before missing the third. MCLA did not have a timeout remaining and their last second heave fell well short.
The Trailblazers rallied from a 45-35 deficit after three quarters to force overtime. MCLA would outscore the Bears 20-10 in the period behind the efforts of Courtney McLaughlin. The senior would net eight points in the pivotal period as MCLA opened the quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 45-45 for the first time since the first half.
From there, the lead would change hands nine times and feature a trio of ties. In the final minute of regulation, the Bears led 52-50 following Jennifer Whyte's three pointer. MCLA's Kayla Hotaling would connect on an old fashioned three point play to give the hosts a 53-52 lead with 53 seconds left to play. BSU's Stephanie DeSantis would make one of two from the stripe to tie the game and then the Bears got a defensive stop with 18 seconds left to play.
Whyte was fouled and sent to the line with 13 seconds left in regulation and calmly drained a pair of free throws after the Bears struggled all game from the line to make it 55-53. Coming out of a timeout, MCLA's Ashley Clawson took the inbound and drove the right lane and connected to tie the score. The Bears had possession at midcourt with 7 seconds left but couldn't get a shot off and the game headed to OT.
In the overtime session, MCLA scored the first three points to take a 58-55 lead, but Whyte once again drilled a crucial three pointer to square it up at 58-58 with 2:45 left to play. A Hotaling FT with 1:44 gave MCLA a one point lead, but Whyte once again had the answer. She would drill her sixth triple of the night giving BSU the lead again at 61-59 with under a minute to play.
McLaughlin was fouled and connected on both attempts to tie it at 61-61 with 35 seconds left, but she then fouled Whyte with 24 seconds left. She would miss the first, but make the second making it 62-61 BSU with MCLA gaining possession. Kayla Hotaling would make a driving layup and was fouled. She would miss the free throw, but MCLA led 63-62 with just 11 seconds left setting up Bostick's heroics.
Bostick would pop open on the wing for a three point attempt and while she was off the mark, she was fouled and sent to the line with just three seconds left. She would make the first two and miss the last but MCLA couldn't must up a good look giving the Bears the win.
Whyte was outstanding scoring a career high 21 points including the six three pointers. Chelsea Saucier was the only other Bear in double figures with 10 points. BSU overcame a rough night at the FT line making just 13-25 attempts. They were also outrebounded 48-33 in the win.
McLaughlin was outstanding in defeat. She tallied a career high 27 points on 7-18 shooting and was 10-11 from the line. She added 12 rebounds and 4 steals in the loss. Hotaling added a double double of her own going for 19 points and 13 rebounds. MCLA was hampered by 24 turnovers in the loss.
The Bears (9-10 overall, 4-2 MASCAC) are off this weekend while the Trailblazers (7-10, 2-4 MASCAC) will head to Worcester to battle the Lancers on Saturday.