Worcester State 82, Nichols 76
Dudley, MA --- Senior Ryan Frassica (Brockton, Mass.) went 7-11 from three-point land while classmate Will Spont (Bellingham, Mass.) posted a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds to lead Worcester State past Nichols, 82-76, in non-conference men's basketball action on Tuesday night. The Lancers knocked down 11 threes in the game and out-shot the Bison 21-13 at the foul line to earn their third straight victory. They are now 4-2 on the year while Nichols drops to 1-5.
Worcester State ran out to a six point lead, 13-7, with 13:42 showing on the clock but the Bison responded with a quick 7-0 drive capped off by a three-point play by Wilcox to grab a one point lead, 14-13, with 12:14 left in the half.
Frassica caught fire from behind the arc for the Lancers, knocking down four in the span of eight minutes to help push Worcester State out to a 32-26 lead with 3:59 left until halftime. A three-point play by senior Josh Barry (Sheffield, Mass.) followed by a lay-up by junior Elijah Sims (Worcester, Mass.) gave the Lancers a ten-point edge, 39-29, with 2:13 left. Freshman Garret Bishop (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) scored consecutive baskets to make it a six point game at the half, 39-33.
Worcester State was able to hold onto the lead throughout the second despite a few rallies by Nichols. Three points was as close as the Bison got as the Lancers iced the victory at the foul line down the stretch, going 16-18 in the final 3:37.
Frassica finished with a team-high 24 points for Worcester State while Barry chipped in with eight points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Sophomore Brandon Fortes (Pawtucket, R.I.) added 15, including a 9-10 showing at the line. Junior Justin Sheehan (Carver, Mass.) was the fourth Lancer to reach double-figures as he posted 12 points off the bench.
Wilcox went 9-15 to lead Nichols with 24 points in the loss to go along with nine rebounds. Senior Ron Powers (Millville, MA) and Bishop chipped in with 14 each.
The Bison will continue home action this Thursday when they host Becker College at 7 p.m. Worcester State will be playing the Buffalo State Tournament Dec. 14-15.
Release Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information