Worcester, MA ---  Worcester State used a stifling defense and torrid first half three-point shooting to defeat Becker 84-24 Sunday in the consolation game of the 2014 Worcester City Women's Basketball Tournament hosted by WPI.

With the result, WSU levels its record at 1-1 on the young season while Becker dips to 0-2.

The Lancers rattled off the first 11 points of the contest and forced the Hawks to misfire on their first seven field goal attempts and commit two turnovers in the opening 6:30. WSU displayed tremendous balance with four different players denting the scoring column during the spurt, including a pair of layups by junior Bianca Langford (Worcester, MA). 

After Becker began to settle in offensively, a Langford bucket with 9:24 left before intermission pushed the lead to 19-8 where it remained in double figures the rest of the way. From there the Lancers saw five different people drain six of their final three-point attempts of the stanza.

Langford registered game-bests of 16 points and eight rebounds while senior Julie Frankian (Millbury, MA) chipped in with 15 points, including a trio of trifectas.  Senior Kiesha Jones (Worcester, MA) and classmate Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) each neared double figures with nine points with McPherson accomplishing the feat by canning all three of her 3-point attempts. Freshman Nani Perez (Worcester, MA) had a strong game at the point, leading all players with seven assists while committing just two turnovers.

Junior Gabrielle Gallo (Northport, NY) paced the Becker attack with eight points to go along with four rebounds while senior Brooke Martel (Griswold, CT) stuffed the stat sheets with six points, five boards, a pair of assists and a block.  The Hawks were credited with eight assists on their 10 made field goals with freshman Alycia Dery (Millville, MA) leading the way with three helpers.   

Both teams now turn their attention to home openers this week.  Becker hosts Pine Manor at 7pm on Tuesday while Worcester State entertains Mount Holyoke at the same time on Wednesday at Clark.

Full Release & Photo Courtesy of WPI Sports Information

Pictured Below: All-City Tournament Representative Julie Frankian