Bycholski and VanTassell each score 16 points in MCC’s 80-29 win over MassBay CC

MANCHESTER, Conn. (Nov. 11) – Sophomore forward/center Aimee Bycholski (MANCHESTER) and freshman guard Trish VanTassell (SOUTH WINDSOR) each had 16 points and freshman guard Lee Paholski (ROCKY HILL) 15 as the Manchester Community College women’s basketball team defeated MassBay Community College 80-29 in a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region XXI game Saturday afternoon at East Catholic High School.

The Cougars (1-1 overall) had a season-high five players in double-digit scoring. Sophomore forward Britt Olander (MANCHESTER) and freshman forward Tina Pagano (ELLINGTON) each recorded 13 points.

Bycholski, a 2005-06 first-team NJCAA Division III All-Region XXI selection, had 10 points in MCC’s game-opening 15-0 run over the first 6 minutes, 42 seconds. Manchester Community College extended its first-half lead to 28-4 (7:17 left), 41-10 (3:13) and 47-13 at the intermission.

The Lady Buccaneers (0-1) cut their deficit to as low as 29 points with a 7-2 spurt to start the second half. The Cougars increased their lead throughout the second half and closed out the game on a 15-0 run for the 51-point margin of victory, their largest of the game. Paholski had seven of her nine second-half points and Pagano all six of her second-half points during the final spurt.

MassBay CC went scoreless over the final 6 minutes, 45 seconds.

MCC freshman guard Jaritza Martinez (HARTFORD) had a game-high five assists and tied Paholski with a game-high nine steals.

The Cougars held a 59-48 rebounding advantage. MassBay Community College center Natasha Torchon recorded a game-high 19 rebounds and guard Latoya Johnson a team-high 12 points. Pagano led Manchester Community College with 15 rebounds (seven offensive).

MCC hosts Gateway Community College in an 8 p.m. NJCAA Division III Region XXI game Thursday at East Catholic High School in Manchester.