MCLA Turns Around Fitchburg State, 72-67

Maloney leads Falcons with 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three point range

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (February 16, 2010) - Junior Molly Maloney (Taunton, Mass./Taunton) registered a team-high 18 points to pace Fitchburg State but the Falcons fell to MCLA, 72-67 in a key MASCAC battle this evening. 

Maloney led all Falcon scorers, shooting 6-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-9 from three point range for her second highest point total of the season. Maloney added five rebounds and three steals to the mix, while classmate Melissa Proffitt (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) tallied 13 points and six caroms. Sophomore Rebecca Goreham (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) was also strong with a near double-double, posting 12 points and nine boards.

MCLA was propelled by a strong effort from freshman Lucy Tremblay (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbus) and sophomore Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, N.Y./Cooperstown) as the dynamic duo combined for 41 points in the contest. Tremblay led all scorers with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while Wehner recorded 17 points off the bench. Senior Laura Silverman (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenedehowa) rounded out the Trailblazers top efforts with nine points and five rebounds.  

After one period of play, Fitchburg State was rolling as the Falcons used a 45.2% shooting effort (55.6% - 3pt range) to grab a six point advantage at the break (40-34). The Falcons received a solid first-half effort from Proffitt who tallied ten of her 13 points in the opening half, while Maloney and junior Kelley Rogers (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) each netted nine.

In the second half, Fitchburg State continued its offensive momentum, posting a scorching 12-5 opening run for a 13 advantage at the 13:24 mark. Quickly thereafter, the Falcons offense began to cool off, shooting only 12.5% (1-of-9) from beyond the arc, while hitting only nine field goals all half.  MCLA immediately took advantage, sporting 15-4 run over the next five minutes and taking its first lead of the half (61-60).

The Trailblazers maintained their slim, one basket-lead for the remainder of the contest as Fitchburg State threatened down the stretch.  The Falcons created a trio of scoring opportunities over the final minute of play, but MCLA sealed its 15th victory of the season with a pair of free-throws from Tremblay in the closing seconds.

Fitchburg State (10-14, 4-7 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it host Westfield State College at 1 p.m. MCLA (15-8, 4-7 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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MCLA 72, Fitchburg State 67