Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (4-18, 3-6 MASCAC) tipped off against the Salem State Vikings (10-12, 3-6 MASCAC) for the team's penultimate conference home game.
This game marks the team's annual "Pink Out" game. Worcester State University, the Worcester State Athletics Department, and the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund have teamed up to raise awareness for cancer detection and research. The Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund, created by alumni couple Gregg Rosen '86 and Pam Rosen '87, provides robust programming that supports peer-to-peer education regarding early cancer detection.
Earlier in the morning the Women's Basketball game held their annual Alumni Game as former Lancers returned to the court for a friendly scrimmage.
FINAL: SALEM ST. 82 | LANCERS 73
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In a critical game that could decide playoff seeding, the first half didn't disappoint as both teams headed into the locker room tied 35-35.
First-year guard Lena Waldron led all scorers in the first half tallying 13 points along with five rebounds and one assist. Waldron made it to the line for nine shots, draining six. First-year Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) provided a spark off the bench to keep the game tight with the center scoring nine points with three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
The Vikings Ernidia Goncalves led Salem in the first half with 10 points along with four rebounds, two blocks, and one assist.
Senior forward Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA) started the scoring in the second half giving Worcester the 37-35 lead on a fast break layup. Shortly after, Hurynowicz was in the paint as she overpowered a Viking defender going up for the bucket to take a one-point lead, 41-40 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Continuing her hot start to the half, Hurynowicz stole a ball on a deflection taking the ball down the court and drawing a foul increasing Worcester's lead.
Five minutes remained in the third quarter when Alana Smith hauled in an offensive rebound, as she went back up with the ball she drew contact to send her to the line. She hit the first shot, and on the second she missed where junior forward Abby St. Martin (Putnam, Conn.) was there to clean up the missed second free throw, putting it back up for two.
St. Martin now in rhythm ripped the ball away from a Viking player off an inbounds play where she saw a streaking Waldon with an easy lane to the basket, finding her as she cut to make the score 52-49 around the four-minute mark.
Senior point guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA) dished the ball to St. Martin in the post, the forward spun and went up with the ball cutting the deficit to 63-59 with 7:30 remaining in the game. Nyah Thomas stopped a Salem St. run with the senior knocking down a midrange jumper to cut the deficit to eight. Hurnowicz followed with a strong post-move to make it 72-65
Continuing their comeback bid, Hurynowics with the ball in the paint connected with sophomore guard Ciara Francis (Marlborough, MA) who finished with a left-handed layup. The comeback bid would not come to fruition with Salem St. scaving off any attempt of an upset.
Waldon finished the evening with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Hurynowicz tied Waldron with 17 points as well, totaling eight rebounds and four assists. Vikings Kylie Gates scored 23 points in the second half, totaling 27 on the night with eight rebounds and seven assists. Goncalves ended up with 21 points and eight rebounds.
UPDATED RECORD:
With the loss, the Lancers fall to (4-19, 3-7 MASCAC) while Salem St. improves to (11-12, 4-6 MASCAC)
WHAT'S NEXT:
The next game for the Lancers will be senior night on Wednesday, February 14th with a scheduled start time of 5:30 PM where they will face Framingham St (19-2, 8-1 MASCAC).