NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Worcester State University's Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) and Brianna Hackett (Hollis, N.H.) led the Lancers with 17 points apiece to seize the 63-54 victory over the MCLA Trailblazers Wednesday (Jan. 4) evening in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) season opener for both teams. With the win, Worcester State advances to 5-7 overall, and 1-0 in the conference. MCLA dips to 5-6 and begins the MASCAC season at 0-1.
Berkel picked up her first double-double of the season with a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. Also helping the Lancers outrebound the Trailblazers 48-39, were Britt Herring (W. Brookfield, Mass.) with a game-high 11 boards, and also Bianca Langford (Worcester, Mass.) with 10. Sophomore guard Kate Surprenant (Pelham, N.H.) assisted the Blue and Gold with seven helpers, and also picked up a team-high three steals on the evening.
Three Trailblazers scored in double figures, including Kayla Hotaling (Ravena, N.Y.) with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds – and also registered a game-high five steals. Ashley Clawson (Tolland, Conn.) and Samantha Gawron (S. Hadley, Mass.) recorded 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Worcester led the entire way leading by as many as 17 and early in the fourth quarter they were up 51-36 before the hosts began to rally. MCLA used an 8-0 spurt to claw within 51-44 with 3:25 left to play in the game. Worcester State's Catherine Sweeney (Lowell, Mass.) stopped the run with a three point play to put the Lancers back up nine, however MCLA just wouldn't go away.
MCLA's Hotaling converted six points in a row for the Trailblazers while the Lancers missed some free throws to stay in it. When Hotaling drove to the basket with 39 seconds left, it was just 57-52 in favor of Worcester State. Forced to foul, MCLA sent Suprenant to the stripe and she calmly drained a pair to keep MCLA at bay. They would get no closer the rest of the way.
The Lancers went just 15-31 from the free throw line compared to a 16-22 showing for the Trailblazers. Both teams struggled from the floor as Worcester State shot 39% while they held MCLA to just 29% shooting.
The Lancers return home for another MASCAC matchup on Saturday (Jan. 7) when they host Salem State.
Release Courtesy of MCLA Sports Information