Wehner collects 1,000th point in MCLA loss to Westfield State

North Adams, MA- MCLA junior forward became the third Trailblazer to reach the 1,000 point club, but MCLA could not keep pace with MASCAC frontrunner Westfield State University, dropping a 56-41 decision.  With the loss, the Trailblazers are now 4-4 league play, 12-8 overall, while the Owls improve to 16-5, 8-1 in the conference.

Ashley Finnegan collected 18 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Owls, while Briana Kelly chipped in with 15.  Wehner finished with a game high 22 points for MCLA while collecting 17 rebounds.

Westfield broke open a close game early in the second half to take command.  With Westfield holding a 25-21 lead, the Owls used 7-0 run to push the lead to double digits at 32-21 with 14:06 to play.  Finnegan converted a pair of jumpers in the spurt.

MCLA trimmed the lead to seven on an Alie Dobrovolc free throw making it 32-25 but Westfield responded with a 10-1 run to put the game away.  The Trailblazers would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way. 

MCLA never led from the onset and trailed 21-16 at the intermission.  Wehner, who came into the game needing only seven points, asserted herself early on.  She knocked down a pair of jumpers in the opening three minutes, the latter tying the game at six apiece early on.  Westfield responded by scoring the next six points to take their biggest lead of the half at 12-6. 

MCLA would respond by scoring the next five points, including three free throws from Wehner to give her the milestone.  Her second free throw at the 10:03 mark made her the third Trailblazer to reach the 1,000 point club while pulling MCLA within one at 12-11.  She joins all time leading scorer Pam Barton and Catherine Saad as 1,000 point scorers in program history.

MCLA was held to a season low 41 points and 22% shooting.  They were also doomed by 22 turnovers.  Westfield shot 36% in the game.

MCLA will travel to Salem State on Thursday night.