Women's Basketball Opens MASCAC Play With 60-37 Triumph Over MCLA

North Adams, MA --- Senior Julie Frankian (Millbury, MA) ended with a game-best 16 points to highlight three players in double-figure scoring as she helped pace Worcester State to a 60-37 victory over MCLA in MASCAC women's baseball action this afternoon.

With the win the Lancers improve to 10-3 overall (1-0 MASCAC) while the Trailblazers slip to 6-7 and 0-2 in the seven-team league circuit.

Junior Bianca Langford (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) registered her sixth consecutive double-double and eighth of the campaign finishing with 12 points, 16 boards and two blocks. Freshman Nani Perez (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and senior Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) tallied 10 and nine points, respectively.

Sophomore Brayleigh Hanlon (Wynantskill, NY) led the hosts with 14 points in the setback. Sophomore Kayla Hotaling (Ravena, NY) and classmate Ashley Clawson (Tolland, CT) also added eight points apiece for MCLA.

Worcester State held an early 12-6 advantage and opened up the contest with a 19-1 outburst as the Lancers soon made the score 27-7 midway through period. Six different players contributed to the run and senior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) chipped in with five points including a trifecta.

The visitors maintained the double-digit margin and settled for the 36-18 score at the intermission.

As the Lancers held the 44-25 margin with 14:36 remaining in regulation, MCLA used an 8-0 run to trail by 11 nearly 4½ minutes later.

The Blue and Gold, however, remained composed and closed out the game by limiting their opponents to hit two of their final 11 shots en-route to the victory while forcing six miscues.

WSU also increased their advantage to 54-33 at the 6:16 mark for a lead that was not relinquished, with Frankian netting eight points in a 10-0 skein.

For the contest, Worcester State connected for a modest 36 percent from the floor (20-for-55) and only missed three free throws overall (18-for-21 – 86 percent). The Blue and Gold also led in rebounds (41-29), points in the paint (20-10) and second chance baskets (8-0).

MCLA utilized nine steals to force 16 Lancer miscues for nearly one quarter of their total points (10 points). The Trailblazers, however, struggled with a 29 percent shooting effort (14-for-48) and only sank two of their 11 tries from downtown. 

Both squads return to MASCAC play on Tuesday evening. WSU hosts Salem State at 6 PM while MCLA travels to Fitchburg State in a 5:30 match-up.