Women's Basketball rally comes up short in 68-58 home setback to Elms
North Adams, MA-- The visiting Elms College women's basketball team outscored MCLA 9-2 over the final minute as the Blazers pulled away from the hosts for a hard fought 68-58 win in non conference action. With the win, Elms improves to 2-0 on the early season. MCLA evens its mark at 1-1.
Elms placed three players in double figures. Kayla Jackson was outstanding as she collected a team best 18 points and game high 16 boards. Rahmia Johnston matched her 18 points as she drilled four three pointers on the afternoon. Mikayler Patch added 14 points in the win.
Elms led just 18-16 after a fast paced first quarter. They would create some separation by virtue of a 25-13 second quarter to lead 43-29 at halftime.
MCLA began to chip away holding Elms to just 10 third quarter points to pull within 53-48 at the end of three quarters. Elms would extend the lead to 59-50 on two free throws from Jackson with just under seven minutes left to play. Both teams would go cold from the floor as MCLA slowly chipped away. Trailblazer Hailey Peabody would convert a putback and then Zaylee Ramos added a layup at the 3:54 mark to pull the hosts closer at 59-54. After a turnover, Peabody would connect again and MCLA was within three at 59-56 with three minutes left.
Both teams had plenty of chances over the next two minutes, but neither could score. Finally with under a minute to play, Elms' Jackson scored on a putback to increase the lead to five at 61-56. MCLA would miss a pair of attempts on the next possession and then were forced to foul. Elms would convert their next four free throws to give them some breathing room as they led 65-56. MCLA's Olivia Pressley would go the length of the floor to get within seven, but Jackson iced the game with two more from the line to preserve the win.
Ramos scored a game high 20 points for MCLA. She added 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Pressley ended with 12 points as did Kristie Zator. Zator finished off the double double with 10 boards.
Elms overcame a 27% shooting performance in the win. MCLA committed 14 turnovers and shot just 34% in the game.
The Trailblazers are back in action tomorrow when they host Maine Presque-Isle at Noon.