LYNDON, Vt. -- The Lyndon State duo of Riann Fortin and Lea Crompton each scored 21 points and the Hornets went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute as they held off the stubborn MCLA Trailblazers, 69-65, in non league action on Saturday.

 

Lyndon (5-2) led the entire second half, but couldn't put MCLA (0-10 away. The Hornets led 36-27 at halftime and then 49-42 after three quarters of play. From there MCLA kept fighting back.

 

Maddie Teta, who scored a career best 18 points, pulled MCLA within a point at 55-54 with six minutes left to play. The Hornets responded by scoring the next six points to increase the margin to 61-54 with under two minutes left to play.

 

MCLA's Brooke DiGennaro canned a triple with 1:54 left to pull within four points at 61-57.  Lyndon's Fortin missed a pair of FT's to give MCLA hope, however DiGennaro's 3 was off the mark and Lyndon took advantage.

 

Fortin converted a layup to push back to a six point lead, however DiGennaro once again answered with just 57 seconds left to make it 63-59.  Forced to foul, MCLA sent Crompton to the line.  She calmly drained the two freebies and the Hornets led by six again. On the ensuing possession, MCLA's Emily Burke canned her seventh triple of the afternoon to pull within three at 65-62, but only had 24 seconds left to play.

 

Fortin again made both FT's and then Teta drilled a triple that made it 67-65 with just six seconds left. Lyndon once again went to the line with a chance to finally put the game away. This time, it was Kerigan Disorda who knocked them down to account for the final score.

 

MCLA's scored a career best 25 points on 7-15 showing from three point range. Teta had her best game in a Trailblazer uniform with 18 points and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Drury graduate Digennaro added 10 points off the bench. Hannah Mazzeo only scored two points but pulled down 20 boards.

 

MCLA is now off until January when it begins conference play on Jan. 5 at Westfield State.

 

Men's Basketball

LOWELL, Mass. -- UMass-Lowell placed seven players in double figures and held the visiting MCLA men's basketball program to a season low point total as the River Hawks cruised past the Trailblazers, 109-45, in non conference action.  

 

UMass-Lowell, who competes in the Division I America East Conference, improved to 7-4 on the season. MCLA competed against a division I opponent for the first time since the late '80s.  They are now 5-6 on the season.

 

In the opening half the River Hawks never trailed. They outscored MCLA 51-22 as they shot a torrid 57% from the floor (20-35). They connected on 7-of-13 attempts from three point range and held MCLA to just 25% shooting to surge ahead.

 

The second half was more of the same for the hosts as they continued their strong shooting effort while MCLA continued to struggle against the bigger River Hawks. UML kept MCLA at bay with their solid shooting, but also imposed their will on the glass, especially in the second half. The Trailblazers never threatened over the closing half.

 

UML's Darion Jordan-Thomas led the River Hawks with 17 points.

 

For MCLA, Hayden Bird continued his strong senior season. He led all scorers with 20 points. His afternoon included another great day from beyond the arc. The senior knocked down six triples as he continues to lead the nation in 3 PFG made.  He was 6-15 from beyond the arc. He was the only Trailblazer in double figures on the afternoon.

 

The game was a tremendous opportunity for the MCLA student-athletes to compete against the River Hawks. The contest was added to the schedule over the last week due to cancellations on both sides due to the pandemic.

 

MCLA is now off until after the holiday break.  The Trailblazers will be back just after Christmas with a road game at CCNY.