WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University Lancers and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Trailblazers battled through 19 lead changes and 11 ties in the opening Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game, resulting in a strong conference win for Worcester State.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 4-8 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season, while the Trailblazers drop to 8-4 (0-1 MASCAC).
"This was a great team win to start conference play," commented head coach Karen Tessmer. "It was a hard fought game with a tough defensive stance by the Lancers down the stretch – especially in the last two minutes." With the teams battling throughout the entirety of the game, it all came down to the last couple minutes of play to determine who would acquire their first conference victory.
The Lancers were trailing by four going into the fourth quarter. Freshman Britt Herring (W, Brookfield, Mass.), made a jumper about 20 seconds in, tightening the gap to two. Herring then had an and-one opportunity with 8:14 remaining to put the Lancers up 38-37. The Trailblazers came back with a jumper just a minute later, but Herring was fouled once again to put up a point on a free throw to tie the game at 39.
After going back and forth, MCLA's McKenzie Robinson (Adams, Mass.) made a 3-point shot to take the lead. Though, Worcester State's Brianna Hackett (Hollis, N.H.) returned the favor with a 3-pointer just 15 seconds later.
Freshman forward, Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) gave the Lancers the lead with 2:39 remaining, only for MCLA's Ashley Clawson (Tolland, Conn.) to drain a three to put the Trailblazers back on top by one. With 57 seconds remaining, Courtney Pingelski (Mechanicville, N.Y.) made a free throw to put the Trailblazers up by a bucket. Herring answered with that much-needed bucket to tie the score once again at 43 seconds.
With the game on the line, Berkel stood at the free throw line to net a pair of free shots, putting the Lancers atop with 19 seconds remaining. MCLA had one more possession to stay in the game, though, great defense and two blocks from Herring shaped a 48-46 conference victory for Worcester State.
"We had some clutch free throw shooting by Kaitlyn who hit two at the end to give us the lead," stated Tessmer. "Also clutch down the stretch was Britt who made a critical basket to tie the game and then had a couple big blocks on our last defensive stance to save the game."
Herring matched her career-high 20 points against the Trailblazers and put up 10 rebounds and three blocks to generate her fourth double-double of her career. She went 8-for-11 (72.7%) from the field, and 4-for-5 (80%) from the free throw line.
Berkel was just one rebound shy of a double-double, as she registered 11 points and nine rebounds (five offensive). Berkel attained three assists, two steals, and one block on the evening.
Hackett and freshman forward, Samm Toli (Taunton, Mass.) each had six points apiece. TaNajia Smith (S. Windsor, Conn.) and Natasha Gonzalez (Milford, Mass.) rounded up the remaining buckets for the Lancers.
"Kate Surprenant had a good floor game handling some aggressive defensive pressure, especially during the fourth quarter," stated Tessmer.
Steering the way for MCLA was Kayla Hotaling (Ravena, N.Y.) who recorded 13 points and seven rebounds, while Samantha Gawron (South Hadley, Mass.) added in nine points.
The Lancers had a 39.1% shot advantage from the field, and 77.7% from the free throw line in comparison to MCLA's 32.7% and 41.7%, respectively. The Lancers also outrebounded the Trailblazers 38-30.
The Lancers will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 9) when they travel to Salem State for their next conference matchup. The game is set for a 1:00 p.m. start time.