Worcester, MA --- Junior classmates Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, MA) and Mitch Renshaw (Rutland, MA) combined for 35 points on 14-for-20 shooting and host Clark University returned to its winning ways with a 70-56 win over Worcester State in non-conference men's basketball action on Thursday evening.
The host Cougars improved their record to 3-4 overall, while the Lancers – playing in their first game in ten days – slip to 1-4.
Clark led the entire game for the first time this season and saw its advantage balloon to as many as 24 points in the second half as they snapped a three-game losing streak to Worcester State.
Junior D.J. Bailey (Palmer, MA) sparked the Clark offense initially, scoring six straight points as the Cougars raced out to a 13-4 edge in the first five minutes of the game.
Worcester State slowly erased Clark's early advantage to tie the game at 15-15, only to see the Cougars go on a run late in the first half capped by a Vayda drive and finish at the buzzer to give Clark a 38-29 halftime bulge.
That lead quickly grew to 16 following a 10-3 spurt by the Cougars to open the second half as Renshaw dropped in a triple, made a pair of free throws and finished on the fast break off an excellent feed from junior Drew Billington (Fairfield, CT), who had a career-high six assists and no turnovers in 22 minutes of action.
Clark then clamped down on defense and held the Lancers scoreless over a three minute span and expanded their lead to its peak at 24 following a Vayda inside basket – again of off a Billington pass.
Worcester State made one final push trimming the lead down to ten with less than two minutes left as freshman Emmanuel Ferraud (Worcester, MA) and junior Frank Stephenson (Fall River, MA) provided huge plays during the Lancers 16-2 burst over a seven minute span. Ferraud had a three-point play and a steal and fast break finish, while Stephenson had a steal and basket of his own to go along with a left side triple that made the score 66-56 with 1:39 left.
Clark had the answer however, as sophomore reserves Jon Karas (South Glastonbury, CT) and Sam Baker (Salem, MA) each converted momentum –stopping hoops down the stretch to secure the win.
The Cougars shot 46 percent from the field, while holding the Lancers to just 39 percent. Worcester State struggled from the free throw line as well, connecting on only 21 of its 35 attempts, including going just 8 for 21 in the final 20 minutes.
Clark also had 18 assists for 26 made field goals while the hosts also enjoyed a slight 32-30 edge in boards.
Ferraud led WSU with 15 points and six rebounds, while Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA) added 12 points and six boards of his own. Stephenson also reached double figures with 10 points and a game-best four steals.
Vayda's 18 points (6-for-10 field goals) and seven boards were both game-highs and Renshaw added a season-high 17 points in just 19 miuntes.
Third-year Travis Curley (Trumbull, CT) added nine points (3-for-6 three-pointers), and Baker came off the bench to record a career-best seven points and three rebounds.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday when they host Endicott beginning at 1:00 PM, while the Lancers will look to get back into the win column with a Saturday matchup with Regis slated for 4:30 PM.
Release Courtesy of Clark Sports Information