Charette, O'Keefe Pace Women's Basketball In Victory Over MCLA

Worcester State 60, MCLA 46

Box Score

North Adams, MA --- Senior Reilly O'Keefe (Warren, MA) registered career highs of 23 points and five blocks with nine rebounds to help lead Worcester State to a 60-46 triumph over MCLA this afternoon on the opening weekend of MASCAC play.

MCLA raced out to a 15-4 lead midway through the opening frame before the Lancers used an 11-2 spurt to close the gap to three with 4:53 left (17-14). The Trailblazers, however, would hold off the charge and lead at the intermission 22-18.

WSC ended the period shooting poorly from the field as they connected for 27 percent from the field (8-for-30) and made just one of their nine attempts from three point land.

The second half was a complete turnaround for the Lancers as O'Keefe led WSC with 14 points. Worcester State pulled even with MCLA at the 12:51 mark on one of her four trey's of the period (34-34). Over the next five minutes there would be four ties and just one lead change before a Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) layup put the Lancers on top 42-40 for good at 8:13.

WSC played tremendous defense to force of several MCLA turnovers and missed shots as it allowed them to go on a 18-6 run to close out the game. The Trailblazers made just 2 of their last 16 attempts during that stretch.

O'Keefe would do her damage on 5-for-10 from beyond the arc for the game while Charette joined her in double figures with 12 points. Becca Giguere (West Brookfield, MA) swiped 7 steals while Bri Flanders (Southampton, MA) pulled down 7 boards and she blocked 3 shots for WSC.

Charette would eclipse the school record for consecutive free throws made in a season. Charette canned 23 free throws in a span of 8 games - which included a 12-for-12 performance against Trinity (CT) on December 8 - before it ended this evening. The previous mark was held by Carrie Gladden who hit 19 straight shots from the charity stripe in a four game span in 1991.

Tremblay led the Trailblazers finishing her night with 17 points. Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) would add 10 points and 14 rebounds in the defeat.

Worcester State forced 28 MCLA miscues with 17 steals while they also parlayed 23 points off of turnovers.

Both teams will continue MASCAC play with 6 PM games on Tuesday. Worcester State entertains Westfield State while MCLA will travel to Salem State.

Portions of Release Courtesy of MCLA Sports Information