Trailblazers earned they first win over Salem State 59-57

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The days of Viking dominance over MCLA came to an abrupt halt tonight as the Trailblazers earned they first win over Salem State in over 28 years. Freshman center Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) scored six of her 13 points in the last 28 seconds of the game to help MCLA even their record to 1-1 in the MASCAC and improve to 9-4 overall. It was also her fourth double-double of the year pulling down 13 rebounds.

In the first half, Salem forced twelve MCLA turnovers and took a seven point lead into the break. The Trailblazers had their backs to the wall and it looks as if the Vikings would continue their winning ways.

Then in the second half, the Trailblazers quietly fought back. They slowly chipped away at a lead that grew as high as 14 for Salem. With just under five minutes remaining, and a basket by Laura Silverman (Ballston Lake, NY), the Trailblazers began to close the gap going on a 11-2 run in the closing minutes. Four points by Alie Dobrovolc (Little Falls, NY) pulled the game to just three points. Then it was time for Wehner to take over on the scoring the rest of the way.

With 45 seconds left Wehner pulled down a rebound and converted the follow-up to bring the game to a point (54-55). Off the ensuing inbound play, Dobrovolc forced a critical Salem turnover. Immediately Coach McGovern called a timeout to gather her troops for the closing seconds. Out of the huddle, the Trailblazers ran a play to open Whener who converted to give her team a 56-55 lead with 28 seconds left.

Wehner's counterpart, senior Danielle Jenkins (Marlbrough, MA) battled all night with the freshman. With just 4.5 seconds left it looked as if Jenkins would finish with the upper hand on the night when Wehner fouled her sending her to the line to win the game for her team. The MASCAC's second leading scorer converted both free throws and Salem took a 56-55 lead. Again, McGovern called a timeout to organize a play to get one last chance. With 1.7 seconds left the Trailblazers ran a sideline play to open up Wehner at the top of the three point arch. She released just before the horn and her teammates stormed the court when her three-point attempt found the bottom of the net giving MCLA a 59-57 win.


Other notables:
Silverman pulled down 18 rebounds on the night giving her her second highest total of the season and her career. Jenkins finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks Silverman and Wehner continue to lead the MASCAC in rebounding (11.8 and 9.7 respectively) MCLA leads the MASCAC with 597 rebounds and a +12.4 rebounding margin MCLA leads the MASCAC with 69.4 points per game

MCLA (9-4, 1-1) will host Green Mountain College in a non-conference match-up at 2:00 on Saturday.

Salem (5-7, 0-1) will host conference leading Westfield State at 1:00 on Saturday.
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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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