MCLA Women's Basketball Wins Over Visiting Salem State

By Jeffrey PuleriMCLA Sports Info
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Behind a pair of double doubles from seniors Alie Dobrovolc and Jen Wehner, the MCLA women's basketball team earned a key 72-51 MASCAC victory over visiting Salem State. The Trailblazers avenged an earlier loss to the Vikings and improved to 11-9 overall (4-3 MASCAC). Salem drops to 9-12 overall (5-3 MASCAC).

After opening up a double-digit lead at halftime, MCLA kept up the momentum early in the second half to pull away. They outscored Salem 16-6 out of the locker room to push out to a commanding 50-30 lead with 14:02 left to play. The run was highlighted by Wehner's nine points.

Salem closed the gap to 15 points on one occasion, but MCLA had the answer eventually pulling ahead by as many as 23 before settling on the final margin.

MCLA led for most of the first half as the only lead the Vikings had was early on at 6-5. The Trailblazers used a pair of runs to push out to leads in the opening twenty minutes. With the score at 13-12 in favor of the hosts, MCLA used a 10-3 run to take a 23-15 lead with 7:58 until halftime. After Salem fought back to within four at 23-19, the Trailblazers outscored the Vikings 11-5 to post a 34-24 halftime lead.

Both teams were hurt by turnovers in the opening half as MCLA committed 15 and Salem had 12. The Trailblazers were able to hold the lead as they shot 48 percent as compared to just 30 percent for the Vikings.

Wehner asserted herself all night long, finishing with 20 points, 13 boards, 5 blocks, and 4 steals. Dobrovolc had 23 points, 11 rebounds, and a game high 7 assists. Lucy Tremblay also finished in double figures connecting on three from beyond the arc en route to her 11 points.

Salem State was led by Rachael Carter's team high 10 points. The freshman did not score in the second half and was the only Viking in double figures.

MCLA shot 43 percent compared to only 27 percent for Salem.

The Trailblazers head out to the road on Saturday when they face Worcester State at 3:30 p.m.
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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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