Moulton Game-Winner Lifts MCLA Women in Opener
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Karina Mattera scored 19 points and Drury's Emily Moulton knocked down the game winning basket with 24 seconds remaining as MCLA held off Cobleskill for a 73-68 win on Wednesday in the Amsler Campus Center Gym in the the season opener for both programs.
After leading by as many as 19 in the first half and owning a 43-29 edge at halftime, the Trailblazers let Cobleskill inch back into the contest in the third quarter.
The Fighting Tigers would cut the deficit to 58-47 heading to the fourth and then rallied behind Addy Lawson. She scored 13 of her game high 32 points in the fourth quarter. With 52 seconds remaining, she drilled her fifth 3-pointer of the night to pull within 68-66, then stole the inbounds pass and her layup knotted the score at 68-68 forcing a Trailblazer timeout.
MCLA's Mattera drove to the hoop but missed, however L'Rae Brundige pulled down the board. She missed her attempt and Moulton corralled the ball. With 24 seconds left, the lone senior on MCLA's roster swished home a 10-foot jumper, making it 70-68 and forcing Cobleskill to call timeout.
The Fighting Tigers Shaliyah Graham drove the lane out of the timeout, however Moulton stepped in front and drew the offensive foul giving possession back to MCLA with now just 13 seconds left to play. Forced to foul, MCLA sent Hoosac Valley graduate Mckenzie Robinson to the free throw line. She sank both attempts making it a two-possession game.
Cobleskill was called for a travelling violation out of a double team, in essence sealing the win for the Trailblazers.
In the opening half, Mattera was outstanding collecting 12 points as MCLA built its early 19-point edge. Lawson scored the final five points of the half to keep the Tigers within reach.
Mattera ended with 19 points on 6-15 shooting. She went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Moulton just missed notching a double double ending with 11 points and a team best 9 rebounds. She was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and 5-6 from the free throw line. Sam Gawron ended with 13 points with a pair of triples. Brundige came off the bench to score 10 points and grab seven rebounds. Robinson ended with seven points and six assists.
MCLA shot 37 percent from the floor and withstood a 7-for-30 showing in the closing 20 minutes of action.
MCLA is back in action on Saturday, travelling to Western New England.
