Worcester State 64, Clark 62
Worcester, MA – Junior Maurice Horton
(Detroit, MI) registered game-highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds
and the Worcester State College men’s basketball team
withstood a determined effort by the host Clark University to post
an exciting 64-62 victory in non-conference action on Thursday
evening at the Kneller Athletic Center.
Winners of two straight, Worcester State improved to 2-3 overall.
Clark evened its record at 3-3 on the young season.
A turnaround skyhook from senior Peter Normandin
(Westminster, MA) pulled Clark within 56-53 with 2:31 remaining.
However, just seconds later Horton hit a corner three pointer to
increase the Lancers lead back up to six (59-53). The Cougars
responded again to keep it close (56-59), as junior Slader
Lyell (Portsmouth, RI) drained a deep three at the top of
the key as time expired on the shot clock and just over a minute
left to play.
Following a timeout, junior Brandon Fortes
(Pawtucket, RI) made good on a two-point basket for a five point
(61-56) WSC advantage. On the ensuing possession, a costly turnover
and a hard foul by Clark’s Mark Alexander
(Providence, RI) led to a pair of key free throws from Horton for a
63-56 edge with 19 seconds left.
Clark was not done, however, answering with a 6-0 run over the
next 12 seconds. Freshman Brian Vayda (Sturbridge,
MA) poured in his first three of the night to trail 59-63 with 14
seconds remaining. After a Clark timeout, Worcester State turned
over the inbound pass and the Cougars made a pair of three-point
attempts before Lyell sank the third for a one-point game (62-63)
with .6 showing on the clock. The Lancers next inbound pass went
their way, as senior Salvatore DeMarco (Queens,
NY) was called for the foul on the play. With .3 seconds remaining,
junior Elijah Sims (Worcester, MA) converted on
one-of-two free throws to account for the final score.
The Lancers got off to a strong start, leading by as many as 14
(26-12) on a jumper by Horton at 9:48 of the first half. The
Cougars erased the lead to six (22-28) on a trey by Jack Minister
(Manchester, England) at 5:01. But, Worcester State was able to
push its advantage up to 10 (32-22) on Kevin
Gena’s (Lynn, MA) dunk and held on to lead by nine
at the half, 36-27.
Worcester State shot 40.7 percent (24-for-59) on its field goals
in the game, while Clark made 21 of 56 attempts (37.5%).
Fortes and Patrick Hamilton (Templeton, MA) had
11 and 10 points, respectively, for Worcester State.
Clark had two players in double-figures in points. Alexander hit 8
of 15 shots from the field and had 21 points, seven rebounds and
five assists. Vayda finished with 11 points and a team-best nine
rebounds.
Clark will host Endicott College on Saturday (1 p.m.). Worcester
State will compete in the Hockenbury Tournament at Norwich
University this weekend. The Lancers will take on Colby-Sawyer on
Saturday (8 p.m.).
Story Courtesy of Clark University Sports Information