Worcester, MA --- Junior Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) and senior Alexis George (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) combined for 30 points and nine rebounds to help lead Worcester State to a 62-45 win over MCLA this afternoon in the MASCAC opener for both squads.
With the win and the loss, both teams now sport overall records of 7-5.
Following four lead changes in the first 12 minutes of the opening stanza, the Lancers knotted the score at 18-18 with 5:57 remaining on the back-end of a free throw by Charette. Senior Kathleen Foley (Hudson, NH) then drilled a three pointer for the go-ahead basket to spark a 13-1 run as the Lancers led 33-20 at the intermission.
The hosts went into the locker room up 33-20 edging the Trailblazers 13-6 on points off turnovers and 4-0 on fast breaks.
After the halftime break, the Blue and Gold continued to build on their advantage as it ballooned to as much as 20 points (53-33) with 6:55 remaining in regulation as the Trailblazers never threatened.
MCLA could not overcome turning the ball over 31 times as the Lancers forced more than half with 18 steals. WSU would hold a final edge in points off miscues 16-11.
Despite losing the contest the visitors had a 53-43 advantage off the backboards and a 21-17 lead in offensive caroms. 16 of MCLA's 25 points in the second stanza came inside the paint.
Charette poured in a game-high 16 points and grabbed six rebounds while George added 14 for the Lancers. O'Keefe narrowly missed a double-double as she scored 11 and pulled down eight boards with six coming on the defensive end. Senior Becca Guigure (W. Brookfield, MA) had a great all-around day with six points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.
For the Trailblazers, senior Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) notched a double-double by putting up 13 points and hauling in an impressive 19 of the squads 53 rebounds on the day.
Sophomore Lucy Tremblay (E. Greenbush, MA) added seven rebounds and nine points while third-year Courtney Terzi (Little Falls, NY) pitched in with five rebounds and 10 points. Rookie Kaitlyn Chenevert (Uxbridge, MA) also helped the Trailblazers with seven points and seven rebounds.
Both teams continue MASCAC action at 5:30 PM on Tuesday as Worcester State heads out to Westfield State, and MCLA hosts Salem State.