Drescher stars in Wildcat loss

PAXTON, Mass. – Kayla Drescher (Wallingford, Conn.) was the star for Wheelock Tuesday night, scoring nine points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but the Wildcats fell to Anna Maria College 52-31 in the first game of the new year. Anna Maria was paced by Samantha Ashton’s 16 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks four assists, and four 3-pointers, to improve the AMCATS to 7-4 overall, while Wheelock drops to 0-6.

Anna Maria held a 24-16 advantage in the first-half, despite shooting just 30.0% from the floor. Ashton added nine of her game high 16 points in the first half, along with seven rebounds and two three pointers. Chelsea Blair filled the stat sheet in the half with four points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Wheelock was held to 15% shooting from the field in the half, and was led by Drescher’s four points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Anna Maria put the game away in the second half, led by Alison McCarthy’s 12 points. McCarthy’s 12 points gave her 15 for the game, which was second amongst all scorers. The AMCATS shot noticeably better in the second half, converting on 40% of their shots from the field while holding Wheelock to 20% from the field in the second half. Maggie Sielawa and Chelsea Blair were a strong in the paint for the AMCATS, each adding eight rebounds and helping the AMCATS out score Wheelock 20-10 in the paint.

The Wildcats will travel to UMASS-Dartmouth on Thursday at 7:00 pm, while the AMCATS will host Albertus Magnus Thursday at 5:30 pm.