Fitchburg State Falls At MCLA, 75-21
Schneider and Keohan combine for ten points for Falcons in MASCAC setback
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's basketball team dropped a 75-21 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening.
Following a jumper by senior Stephanie Leveillee, the Trailblazer closed out the first quarter on a 15-0 run as junior Kayla Hotaling ignited the stretch with seven points, while newcomer Karina Mattera notched six points for the 21-4 margin after one quarter of play.
The two team traded baskets to start the second quarter on a layup by Hotaling and a basket from Leveillee before MCLA went on an 8-0 streak on baskets by McLaughlin, junior Ashley Clawson and freshmen L'Rae Brundige and Samantha Gawron to make the score 33-8.
Fitchburg State responded with a layup from junior guard Shabeli Villa and free throw from freshman Hannah Keohan (33-11), while the hosts went on another 8-0 run to end the half as Hotaling connected on a pair of buckets, while Mattera and sophomore Emily Moulton added one basket each for the 45-14 advantage going into the break.
Following intermission, the hosts expanded its lead, going on a 15-0 stretch, keyed by five points from Moulton and three points each by Clawson and freshman Courtney Pingelski to take a 67-16 margin into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Falcons cut into the deficit (68-21) on a jumper from senior Erika Schneider and a layup and free throw by Keohan. MCLA secured its tenth win on the season, with a 7-0 run on buckets from Gawron and Brundige, resulting in the 75-21 final.
For Fitchburg State, Schneider led the way with six points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Keohan added four points, two caroms, and a pair steals. Sophomore Michaela McTomney was also solid, pulling down a team-best eight boards to go along with one steal.
MCLA was paced by Hotaling, who posted a near double-double of 15 points and nine boards as well as two assists and one steal, while Mattera chipped in with 12 points, two assists and three steals for the Trailblazers.
Throughout the contest, MCLA held a 43-36 advantage in rebounds, including a narrow 13-12 margin on the offensive glass. From the field, the Green and Gold shot 8-for-49 (16.3%), while going 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the line. The Trailblazers finished the contest shooting 28-for-62 (45.2%) in addition to going 17-for-23 (73.9%) from the charity stripe.
Fitchburg State (0-16, 0-4 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it travels to Salem State to take on the Vikings at 1 p.m. MCLA (10-6, 2-3 MASCAC) will visit Springfield College on Monday for a contest starting at 5:30 p.m.