Bycholski and Pagano Lead MCC in 66-60 Win Over Gateway Community College

Press Release/News Article
Posted

MANCHESTER, Conn. (Nov. 16) – Sophomore forward/center Aimee Bycholski (MANCHESTER) had 18 points and 15 rebounds, freshman forward Tina Pagano (ELLINGTON) 10 points and a game-high 19 rebounds and sophomore forward Britt Olander (MANCHESTER) 12 points (all in the second half) as the Manchester Community College women’s basketball team defeated Gateway Community College 66-60 in a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region XXI game Thursday night at East Catholic High School.

The Cougars (2-1 overall, 2-0 NJCAA Division III Region XXI) have won consecutive games. Freshman guard Trish VanTassell (SOUTH WINDSOR) joined Bycholski, Pagano and Olander in double-digit scoring with 10 points.

MCC went on a 6-0 run over a two-minute period to turn the third and final tie of the second half (53-53) into a six-point lead (59-53) with 5:07 left. Olander had four points during the spurt.

The Lions (0-3, 0-3) cut the Manchester Community College lead to two points twice down the stretch, 59-57 and 61-59. The Cougars scored five of the game’s final six points to secure the win. Bycholski had a field goal and Olander made two free throws during the closing run.

Gateway CC went on a 9-0 run over a 2-minute, 27-second period to turn an eight-point deficit into a 42-41 lead with 15:06 left in the second half. MCC regained the lead 10 seconds later on a Bycholski layup (43-42). The Lions built their largest lead of the half – two points (45-43) – on a three-pointer by freshman forward Michele Velez with 14:41 remaining. Bycholski and Velez each tied for a game high with 18 points.

Bycholski, a 2005-06 NJCAA Division III All-Region XXI selection, made another layup to tie the score at 45-45. The Cougars never trailed after that point.

Manchester Community College turned a one-point deficit into an eight-point lead (33-25) as a result of a 9-0 run over a 1-minute, 33-second period late in the first half. Pagano had five of her seven first-half points during the spurt.

Pagano recorded her second consecutive double-double. She had 13 points and 15 rebounds in the Cougars’ 80-29 win over MassBay Community College last Saturday. It was Bycholski’s first double-double of the season. She had a team-high 11 in 2005-06.

The Cougars host Roxbury Community College in an 8 p.m. NJCAA Division III Region XXI game Tuesday at East Catholic High School in Manchester.