Pingelski scores 18, but Trailblazers falter late in loss to Bears

Bridgewater, MA- Bridgewater State's Chanelle Melton scored on a traditional three point play with ten seconds remaining to rally the host Bears past the MCLA Trailblazers 58-55 Wednesday night at the Tinsley Center.  The Bears (4-9, 1-0 MASCAC) overcame a tough first quarter in which the Trailblazers outscored them 18-4 to earn the win.

MCLA (4-10, 0-2 MASCAC) drops their sixth straight overall.

The Bears trailed early, but then rallied in the second quarter and were behind just 30-28 at the half.  After three quarters, BSU actually held a 41-40 lead, but eventually MCLA opened up 52-47 lead following Sam Gawron's layup with 6:19 remaining.  The Bear defense would clamp down and hold the Trailblazers to just three points the rest of the way as they clawed their way back in it.

Kailyn Aguiar scored on a putback for the Bears with 5:40 left to play and each team went scoreless for the next two minutes until Aguiar scored again, this time off a nice dish from Melton cutting it to 52-51 with still 3:55 left to play.

MCLA Courtney Pingelski, who ended with a game high 18 points, was fouled from beyond the arc on the next possession.  She made the first, but missed the next two making it just 53-51.  Melton's layup tied the score at 53 all, but there was still two minutes left to play.

Trailblazer Mckenzie Robinson converted a steal and the full court layup gave the visitors a 55-53 lead with 1:10 left, but MCLA wouldn't score again.  Kayla Carter scored on a feed from Melton and once again the teams were knotted at 55 setting up the final minute.

After a timeout, Pingelski drove the right baseline but couldn't convert giving the Bears the ball with 27 seconds left.  After their own timeout, the Bears got the ball to Melton in the short left corner.  Her baseline drive plus the foul gave the Bears a 58-55 lead with 10 seconds left.  MCLA had a desparation attempt from Pingelski, but it was well short and the Bears escaped.

Melton ended with 13 points on 6-12 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds.  She added 5 assists and two steals in the win.  Jennifer Whyte was outstanding off the bench for the Bears collecting a team best 14 points, including four three pointers.  BSU shot 45% in the win.

Pingelski was 6-11 from the field for her 18 points.  She made her first five three pointers before finishing 5-8 behind the arc.  Robinson added 11 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals for MCLA.  L'Rae Brundige ended with 10 points.

The Trailblazers shot 41% in the loss and committed 18 turnovers.

MCLA will look to snap their skid on Saturday when they host Worcester State at 1pm.