Worcester State 64, Regis 59
Worcester, MA --- Junior forward Maurice Horton (Detroit, MI) poured in a season-high 36 points and 17 rebounds to help pace Worcester State to a 64-59 victory over Regis this evening at Lancer Gymnasium in non-conference men's basketball action. The Lancers even their record to 4-4 with the win while the Pride fall to 4-3 on the season.
Leading 42-35 with 13:35 in the second half, Worcester State embarked on a 10-4 run to open up a 13 point advantage at the 10:16 mark. The lead would be short lived as Regis trimmed the score to 53-50 over the next four minutes of play on six points by freshman Ta'Keame Gomes (Cambridge, MA) and five baskets from junior James Cooper (Philadelphia, PA).
Freshman Raheem Lewis (Whitinsville, MA) and Horton each hit free throws to go up five with 4:41 left, but Gomes and junior Shannon Strange (Temple Hills, MD) connected on back-to back field goals to get within one and threaten the lead (55-54).
After junior Darren Schmidt (Shelburne Falls, MA) recorded a layup to make the score 57-54 with 3:44 left in regulation, the Pride missed a three pointer along with four field goal tries over the next two minutes of play as they failed to take advantage four Lancer miscues. Horton sunk two more free throws at 1:11 to make it a five point game.
Following a Gomes lay-up with 42 ticks, left the Lancers turned the ball over and Regis converted the points into a trey by Derrick Neal (Boston, MA) to get within one with 21 seconds left (60-59). But that was as close as the Pride would get as Worcester State would score four unanswered points to seal the victory.
Junior Patrick Hamilton (Templeton, MA) tallied 13 points for WSC while classmate Elijah Sims (Worcester, MA) and Schmidt each grabbed seven rebounds. Horton finished 14-for-16 from the charity stripe with three steals while Sims also swiped three balls.
Neal notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards while Gomes registered 13 points off the bench for the Pride. Neal also chipped in with three steals.
The Lancers shot 39% from the floor (32-for-56) while holding a 44-31 advantage in rebounds with a 12-6 edge coming off the offensive glass. WSC also converted 21 Regis turnovers into 24 points while also finishing with 12 second chance points. The Pride bench scored 28 bench points while the Worcester State reserves only scored four baskets.
This is the last contest for the Lancers of the semester before they head to the Trinity Holiday Invitational to face the hosts in the opening round on January 3 at 7. Regis will play in the Bard Tournament on Saturday and play Rivier in the first series at 4 PM.