Jill Valley led Westfield with 22 points. (Westfield State Sports File Photo)
NORTH ADAMS – The Westfield State women’s basketball team received 22 points from Jill Valley and shot 57% from the floor in the opening half as they raced past the MCLA Trailblazers 105-66 tonight in MASCAC action from the Amsler Campus Center gym.
With the win, the Owls improve to 14-7 overall and remain atop the MASCAC at 7-1. The Trailblazers drop to 11-9 and stand at 3-5 in conference play.
Valley ended the contest going 7-12 from the floor for her 22 points. She added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Forbasaw Nkamebo added a strong effort of 19 points and 9 rebounds. Ashley Giampetruzzi came off the bench to add 13 points for Westfield.
In the opening half the Owls wasted little time taking control. They jumped out to a 12-2 lead and never looked back. They sprinted out to a 31-11 lead at the end of one quarter and then expanded in the second quarter of play. The led by as many as 36 points in the quarter and settled on a 64-30 halftime advantage. The 64-point half established a school record for the Owls, eclipsing a 63-point mark earlier this season.
Valley dominated the first half collecting 19 points on 6-7 shooting and a perfect 6-6 from the line. She added 2 steals and assists. Nkamebo also went 6-7 from the floor and scored 12 first half points. The Owl pressure forced MCLA into 20 first half turnovers which led to easy baskets for the visitors. They shot a torrid 57% in the half compared to just 30% for MCLA.
The Trailblazers were paced by Karina Mattera’s team high 22 points. She added 3 assists for the Trailblazers. Kayla Hotaling collected a double double of 12 points and a game best 18 rebounds. Courtney McLaughlin chipped in with 11 points and 6 boards.
MCLA was hampered by 31 turnovers on the night via the Owls pressure. Westfield also owned a commanding edge at the free throw line going 26-40 from the stripe compared to MCLA’s 8-17 showing.
The Trailblazers are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Salem State for a 1pm MASCAC tilt. Westfield, which cracked the century mark for the seventh time this season, will host Framingham State on Saturday in a battle between the conference co-leaders.
