Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (4-17, 3-5 MASCAC) traveled east for a conference battle against conference foe Bridgewater State Bears (12-10, 8-1 MASCAC). The Bears currently hold the second spot in the MASCAC rankings while the Lancers sit in the fourth seed as the final weeks of the season are set to be played.
FINAL: BRIDGEWATER ST. 77 | LANCERS 40
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Sophomore guard Cameron Watkins (Dracut, MA) scored the first points of the game for the Lancers dribbling down the right side of the lane drawing contact while going up for a layup, sending her to the line where she buried both shots. Shortly after, first-year guard and Rookie of the Year candidate Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) knocked down a deep two off an inbounds pass to get herself on the score sheet. Senior forward and captain Katie Hurynowicz (Tynsboro, MA) hauled in a rebound off a Bridgewater missed shot, finding the streaking Watkins for the fastbreak bucket and cutting the lead to one. The Bears were able to build up a five-point lead but Lancers' point guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, Mass.) showcased her court vision connecting with Hurynowicz to bring the Bears lead down to one.
Down seven midway through the second quarter, first-year center Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) fresh off of her MASCAC Rookie of the Week award, received the ball on the right block in the paint, elevating off a postmove where she was fouled as she made the bucket to go to the line. Watkins, feeling it in the first half, zoomed down the lane, tossing the ball off the glass for her eighth point of the night, cutting the lead to 23-18. Smith making her presence felt, took down an offensive rebound, fighting to the ground to keep possession in Worcester's favor, great heart and hustle coming from the first-year. Junior forward Abby St. Martin (Putnam, Conn.) ripped a ball out of Bridgewater player's hands at the top of the key giving possession to Worcester.
The Bears took a commanding 33-19 lead entering halftime on the back of Sydney Bradbury who finished with 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Teammate Sophia Gaucher tallied eight points along with two rebounds and assists. Watkins was Worcester's point leader in the half, finishing with nine. Hurynowicz ended her half with six points with two rebounds and two assists. Alana Smith took down 10 rebounds in the half alone.
Starting the second half, Hurynowicz displayed her defensive abilities blocking Kylie Grassi when the guard drove the lane attempting to get a layup off. Shortly after, the Bears had the ball under their basket for an inbound play, as the whistle blew Hurynowicz had a scary collision forcing her to the ground for several minutes. She would leave the game as the trainer was seen holding her arm with what apeared to an injured eye. Hurynowicz eventually did make her way back into the game, draining a three-point shot with the Lancers attempting to chip away at the lead.
Following a St. Martin block and forced shot clock violation, Thomas was sent to the stripe for two shots after being fouled by a Bridgewater player. Smith once again showed her determination to play forty minutes with a dramatic block, also adding a hustle play when she dove on the floor to keep the ball from going out of bounds, extending the Lancer possession.
Hurynowicz and Watkins each finished for the team-high in points with 12. Smith snagged 12 rebounds while Thomas scored six points with six rebounds and two assists. Bridgewater's Sophia Gaucher led all bears in points with 18. Kylie Grassi dropped 17 points alongside three rebounds and two assists.
UPDATED RECORD:
With the loss, the Lancers dropped to (4-18, 3-7 MASCAC) while Bridgewater improved to (13-10, 9-1 MASCAC).
WHAT'S NEXT?:
The Lancers will be at home for a matchup against the Salem State Vikings (10-12, 3-6 MASCAC) on Saturday, February 10th with a scheduled start time of 12 PM. Before the matchup, The Lancers will host their annual Alumni game. This also marks the team's "Pink Out" game in collaboration with The Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund as well as the team's Play4Kay game. For more information on the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund please visit Worcester State's website.