McKenzie Robinson's Late 3 Helps Lift MCLA Women in Playoff| 12:40PM / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The fourth seeded MCLA women's basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to pull away from visiting fifth seed Salem State as the Trailblazers defeated the Vikings 67-53 to advance in a MASCAC quarterfinal round matchup.
With the win, the Trailblazers (14-12) will move on to face the top seeded Westfield State Owls on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Woodward Center. The Vikings end their season at 8-18.
Karina Mattera scored 12 of her game best 17 points in the decisive fourth quarter to pace the Trailblazers. Kayla Hotaling also posted solid numbers collecting a stat line of 12 points, 19 rebounds (seven offensive), and four blocked shots.
MCLA held a slim 45-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter after Salem State scored to end the third. When the Vikings' Kia Fernandes connected on a three point play to open the quarter, they led for the first time since the opening minutes 47-45. Hoosac Valley graduate McKenzie Robinson responded with a deep 3 to give the hosts back the lead and the teams swapped buckets on the next two possessions making it 51-50 in favor of Salem with 8:00 left to play.
From there Mattera took over. She connected on a 3-pointer after collecting a steal to give MCLA the lead for good at 53-51 and she continued her own run scoring the next six for the Trailblazers making it 59-53 with just 1:09 left to play. The Trailblazers were able to keep the Vikings at bay by collecting 10 offensive rebounds in the pivotal quarter.
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