WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore guard Lucy Barrett (Mt. Greylock/Williamstown, Mass.) scored a game-high 17 points for Westfield State to lead the Owls to a 95-60 women's basketball win over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at the Woodward Center on Wednesday evening.
Westfield State improves to 14-7 overall and stays perfect in the MASCAC at 8-0. MCLA drops to 7-12, 2-6 in the MASCAC.
The Trailblazers held tough in the first quarter, trailing just 25-17 at the break, but Westfield cranked up its trademark pressure defense in the second quarter, holding MCLA to just 10 points in the frame as the Owls took a 48-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Owls held off the 'Blazers throughout the second half in winning their 17th straight game in conference play.
Barrett was an efficient 6-10 from the floor and 3-6 from three point range. Senior guard Jill Valley (Mahar/Orange ,Mass.) added 15 points, Kierra McCarthy (Ludlow, Mass.)12 and Janaiya Sanchez (Sabis/Springfield, Mass.) 11 in a balanced scoring offense for Westfield.
Senior forward Kayla Hotaling (Ravena-Coeymas-Selkirk/Ravena, N.Y.) led the way for MCLA with 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Karina Mattea (Johnston, R.I.) added 13 points off the bench.
Westfield State will go on the road to face Framingham State on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., in a battle of the top two teams in the conference standings. MCLA will host Salem State at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.