Balanced attack leads third seeded MCLA past sixth seeded Framingham 73-59
North Adams, MA- The third seeded MCLA Trailblazers opened up a commanding 42-20 halftime lead over sixth seeded Framingham State and cruised by the Rams by a score of 73-59. With the win, MCLA (17-8) moves on to the MASCAC semifinals where it will meet second seeded Bridgewater State on Thursday night in Bridgewater. Framingham finishes up at 12-14.
Four players led a balanced attack for the Trailblazers as Lucy Tremblay (East Greenbush, NY) had a game high 16 points. She was joined in double figures by Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) who collected a double double, her 22nd of the season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kaitlyn Chenevert (Uxbridge, MA) chipped in with 12, while Alie Dobrovolc (Little Falls, NY) added 11.
Cassie Liston (Stoneham, MA) came off the bench to lead Framingham with 16 points, while Patrecia Bradshaw (Cambridge, MA) added 11.
Early in the first half, the Rams took the lead on a Kia Minor (Edgartown, MA) layup to make it 13-12 with 11:56 left until halftime. MCLA would then explode for a 20-2 run to take a commanding 32-15 lead. Tremblay and Wehner combined for 14 points in the burst. MCLA would grow the margin to 23 points at 39-16 before settling for the large halftime advantage.
The hosts would grab the first two buckets of the second half and would lead by as many as 28 points in the period. Framingham would get no closer than the final margin.
MCLA held a significant advantage off the glass outrebounding the Rams 53-33 on the night. That led to a 24-10 margin in second chance points.
The Trailblazers also clamped down on the defensive end holding the Rams to 26% shooting in the opening half and only 34% in the game. MCLA shot a sizzling 58% in the opening period and 43% for the night.