NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's basketball team held MCLA to a season low 48 points and placed four players in double figures as they cruised past MCLA 73-48 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) season opener for both teams. With the win, the Lancers are now 3-10 on the season, and 1-0 in the MASCAC. MCLA falls to 2-9 overall and 0-1 in the league.

The Lancers were paced by Aaron Anniballi's (Milford, Mass.) team-high 12 point effort off the bench.  Ryan DiBernardo (Springfield, Mass.) added 11 points while Corey Gatta (Sturbridge, Mass.) and Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) added 10 each.  Brooks completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.

Worcester took advantage early using a 13-2 spurt to break a 4-4 tie and jump to an early 17-6 advantage.  They would not look back as the Lancers held MCLA to just 26 first half points.  They forced 11 turnovers and held the Trailblazers to just 39% shooting in the half as they eventually went to the locker room with a 42-26 lead.

Any thoughts of a Trailblazers rally were quickly diminished as the Lancers moved out to a twenty point lead early in the second half and cruised home.  They led by as many as 31 points late in the contest before settling on the final score.

The Lancers 2-3 zone held MCLA to just 31% shooting in the game and forced 22 turnovers in the rout.  

MCLA was paced by Joe Wiggins' game high 23 points.

The Lancers are back in action on Saturday (Jan. 7) when they host Salem State at 1 p.m.

Release Courtesy of MCLA Sports Information