Women's Basketball Downed by WPI in Worcester City Tournament Championship

Women's Basketball Downed by WPI in Worcester City Tournament Championship

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season on Saturday evening, falling to Worcester Polytechnic Institute 51-45 in the Worcester City Tournament Championship Game at WPI's Harrington Auditorium.

With the loss, the Lancers fall to 1-1 on the season, while the Engineers move to 2-0.

The Lancers were in charge of the first quarter on the evening. Back-to-back triples from freshman Calli Korbey (Hopkinton, Mass.) and senior Kate Surprenant (Pelham, N.H.) in the quarter's final minute gave the visitors a 17-6 advantage after the opening quarter. 

WPI held a narrow 14-12 edge in the second quarter, and went to the locker room trailing the Lancers by a score of 29-20. Worcester State senior Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) nearly had a first half double-double, recording 10 points and nine rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

An early Surprenant three and a layup from Berkel in the opening 2:31 of the third quarter gave the Lancers a 36-22 lead, before the Engineers would kick it into gear. WPI would respond with a 18-0 run, which was finally stopped by a Korbey three at the buzzer to end the third quarter with the hosts ahead 40-39.

Offensive struggles in the fourth quarter kept the Lancers from completing the comeback they needed. Worcester State would only make one field goal in the quarter, a layup by Surprenant, and total four points, as the Engineers pulled away at the end to take the victory.

Berkel had her second double-double in as many nights, recording team highs with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lancers. Senior Brittany Herring (West Brookfield, Mass.) also put in 12 points for the Lancers, while Surprenant poured in 11 points of her own.

After the game, Berkel and Herring were named to the All-Tournament team.

Next up for the Lancers, they will host their home opener on Tuesday evening at John P. Brissette Court against Mount Holyoke. Tipoff between the Lancers and Lyons is slated for 7 p.m.

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