Women's Basketball snaps slide with Senior Day win over Fitchburg State 64-51

North Adams, MA- The MCLA women's basketball team snapped a six game losing streak as the Trailblazers pulled away from visiting Fitchburg State 64-51 this afternoon in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium on Senior Day.  The Trailblazers (8-14, 3-8) were paced by Kayla Hotaling's season high of 26 points and 14 rebounds.

MCLA swept the season series from the Falcons (9-13, 1-9) with the win.

Fitchburg State canned the opening basket, but never led again as MCLA took over.  The Trailblazers would lead 15-9 after one quarter and eventually 27-20 at the half before Hotaling took over.  

In the third quarter, Fitchburg would get within three points after a Catherine Coppinger triple at 31-28, but MCLA responded with a 13-5 spurt to close the period.   MCLA would carry a 44-33 lead into the fourth quarter.

Hotaling took over in the fourth quarter keeping the Falcons at bay as she scored 15 of the team's 20 points in the stanza.  The senior is now just three points away from joining the 1,000 point club at MCLA.  The Trailblazers rode Hotaling and led by as many as 19 points in the fourth before settling on the final score.

Hotaling was 8-20 from the floor, and 10-15 from the line for her 26 points. She helped MCLA own a 52-42 rebounding edge by pulling down 14 caroms.  Brayleigh Hanlon was the only other Trailblazer in double figures ending with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  The Trailblazers overcame a 28% shooting night to earn the win and forced 20 Falcon turnovers.

Kyra Rose paced the Falcons with 15 points on just 3-9 shooting.  She did convert 9-10 from the line however.  Shabeli Villa added 11 points for FSU.  

The Trailblazers honored their six seniors prior to tip off.  Playing their final home game were Anna Despart, Svetlana Morrell, Courtney McLaughlin, Ashley Clawson, Hanlon, and Hotaling.

MCLA is back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Southern Vermont.