Worcester State 86, Clark 70
Worcester, MA --- Behind a game-high 27 points from senior Will Spont (Bellingham, MA) and a second half three point shooting barrage, the Worcester State College men's basketball team defeated the visiting Cougars of Clark University by the final tally of, 86-70, in Lancer Gymnasium Thursday night for the first time since the 2004-05 season. The victory improves the Lancers to 3-2 on the year, while Clark evens up at 2-2.
The Lancers got 10 first half points from Spont as Worcester State went into the break with a, 32-24, advantage. The Lancers shot 43.3% from the field in the half including 4 three pointers. Clark was paced in the first half by senior Pat Landers (Worcester, MA) who went for 11 first half points.
In the second half, Worcester State extended their lead to 11 points after made buckets by sophomore Brandon Fortes (Pawtucket, RI) and Spont before Clark began to whittle away at the lead. Landers knocked down back to back three pointers to tie the game at, 43-43, with 12:57 remaining in the contest but Clark would never take the lead as sophomore Pat Hamilton (Templeton, MA) responded with a trey of his own to give the Lancers the lead back for good.
The Lancers would answer every run that the Cougars would make as they racked up 8 second half three pointers.
Spont led all scorers on the night while senior Ryan Frassica (Brockton, MA) added 22 points including 15 in the second half. Hamilton added 15 for the Lancers. Senior Josh Barry (Sheffield, MA) was immense on the boards grabbing 13 on the night.
Clark was led by Landers who finished with a team-high 17 points. Sophomore Mark Alexander (Providence, RI) was solid with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists on the night.
Worcester State returns to action on Tuesday when they visit
Nichols College. Clark returns to the hardwood on Saturday
when they host Anna Maria.