Moulton Double-Double Leads MCLA Women to Win| 08:03PM / Thursday, December 07, 2017 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Courtney Pingelski scored the go-ahead basket with 9 seconds remaining and Emily Moulton had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots to lead the MCLA women's basketball team past visiting Simmons College, 54-50, on Thursday.
After trailing at halftime, Simmons (1-5) stormed back to take a 38-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. It maintained its lead until the 2:11 mark when Karina Mattera converted two free throws to give the hosts a 46-45 lead. Simmons' Molly Phillips drove for two on the next possession to give the lead back to the Sharks with just 1:51 left to play. Mattera once again was fouled and knocked both down again to put MCLA in front, 48-47, with 1:33 left.
MCLA (4-4) got a defensive stop, and Moulton was fouled. The Drury graduate calmly drained two free throws to put MCLA up three with less than a minute to play. Simmons did not go quietly however as Molly Phillips converted a conventional three-point play with just 11 seconds left to even the score at 50-50.
After a Trailblazer timeout advanced the ball to midcourt, MCLA's Mckenzie Robinson (Hoosac Valley) took the inbounds pass and found a streaking Pingelski. The junior converted an 8-foot jumper in traffic, putting the home team up, 52-50, and forcing a Simmons timeout. MCLA forced a turnover on Simmons' possession and the visitors were forced to foul. Pingelski was sent to the line and she knocked down both freebies to secure the win for MCLA.
Moulton was 6-for-13 from the floor for her 15-point effort. L'Rae Brundige ended with 12 points for MCLA on 4-7 shooting. The Trailblazers shot 42 percent and overcame 20 turnovers in the win.
MCLA is off until late December when it heads to the Springfield College tournament.
Men's Basketball
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Hayden Bird came off the bench to score a game high 20 points in leading the MCLA men's basketball team to a hard-fought, 78-76, win over Rivier University.
The Trailblazers move to 3-5 on the season while Rivier drops to 0-8.
The game was tight throughout as neither side led by more than six points all night. With the game tied at 70-70, Rivier's Kirk Palladino converted a Tyler Bradanese pass for a two-point lead. The basket ignited a 6-0 spurt for the Raiders (0-8) as Tarik Rivers added two free throws and when Angel Perez drove to the basket with just 1:41 left, it was 76-70.
Bird drained a huge three to get the Trailblazers (3-5) within three at 76-73 and then MCLA forced a turnover. Antoine Montgomery made a tough leaner in the lane to get within one point with just 1:06 left to play. MCLA forced another turnover and when Montgomery connected again, this time with 46 seconds left, MCLA led 77-76. The Trailblazers forced their third straight turnover on Rivier's next possession, forcing the visitors to foul.
MCLA's Mike Demartinis made one of two to extend the lead to 78-76, but Rivier had possession out of a timeout. Joshua L'Heureux drove the lane, however MCLA's Noah Yearsley blocked the shot and Ki-Shawn Monroe grabbed the board for MCLA. A Rivier foul sent Monroe to the line, but he missed both attempts allowing the Raiders one last chance.
In the final seconds, Kirk Palladino attempted a 3-pointer that just missed and a loose ball ensued as time expired giving MCLA the narrow victory.
Bird led all scorers on 8-for-14 shooting, including a pair of three's.
MCLA wraps up semester play on Monday as they head to Union.
| 
MEMBER SIGN IN
