Worcester, MA - The Worcester State Lancers (4-19, 3-7 MASCAC) tipped off against the Framingham State Rams (20-2, 9-1 MASCAC). This game marks Worcester State's senior night, celebrating our Lancer seniors and most importantly, the leaders of the women's basketball team. The seniors playing for the Lancers include Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA), Chloe LaPierre (Plainfield, CT), and Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA) as well as team manager Jordyn Trombly.
FINAL: LANCERS 58 | 88 RAMS
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In a tough matchup against the Framingham State Rams, Framingham would win the tip off and begin the scoring off to a foul given by the Worcester State Lancers, leading to two free throws for the Rams. Both of which would be drained by Katherine Haselton, (Greenfield, MA)).
Although the Lancers would start slow to begin the quarter, momentum would quickly shift in their favor as Hurynowicz would sink a lay up right before the shot clock loudly buzzed. Seconds later, junior Abby St. Martin (Putnam, CT) would give Worcester State their first lead of the game with a little over seven minutes left to go in the first.
With three minutes left in the quarter and the Rams bench now loudly chanting for their team, junior Chloe Rayko (Coventry, RI) made the first three point basket of the game which she would follow up with another one just a short minute later to further widen their lead. The first quarter would end with a score of 10 - 25, Rams on top.
After a quick intermission, the Lancer's costly fouls would carry into the second quarter. The first of which led to Framingham State Ram Haselton to reopen the scoring. After a flurry of points from each side, the Rams would close the scoring as well with a jaw dropping buzzer beater by senior Gwendolyn Carpenter (Ashley Falls, MA), to see the score sit at 46-29 at the half.
Down but not out, Worcester State's fouls, missed opportunities, and dropped passes would ultimately become their Achilles heel in the first half and they looked to correct the ship at the start of the second.
To start the third quarter, first year Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) would drain an impressive three point shot before the Rams would quickly respond with a two pointer and a bonus shot on the play.
With tensions rising and the clock rapidly ticking, simple two pointers, coming in the form of layups and jump shots would saturate most of the third and fourth quarter. That was until Rayko found herself open in the far corner of the court beyond the paint, draining two more highlight reel worthy three point shots.
Ultimately, the Rams lead proved to be too much for the Lancers, as a determined Worcester State team could not overcome the early steep deficit. At full time, the Worcester State Lancers would fall to the Framingham State Rams, with a score of 58 - 88. Leading the scoring for the Rams would be the three point master, Rayko while Worcester State's leading scorer, Hurynowicz would produce 12 points.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Worcester State Women's Basketball team now stands at (4-20, 3-8 MASCAC) and look forward to an away game against the MCLA Trailblazers on February 17th. In their previous contest, the Lancers displayed a dominant performance over them, with a final score of 75 - 25 and will hope to repeat their success once again in their final regular season game of the season.