Williamsport, PA --- Freshman Emmanuel Ferraud (Worcester, MA/South) netted 15 points while junior Clayton Timas (New Bedford, MA) came off the bench to register 14 points and seven boards as they both helped propel Worcester State to a 71-65 victory this afternoon over Penn State DuBois in the consolation bracket of the Lycoming Louis Basinger Tournament.
In the WSU (2-10) snaps a seven-game drought to post their first triumph in 2011. The Lions, who compete in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, slip to 5-7 in the setback.
Sophomore Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA/Belmont) also notched 11 points and seven rebounds for WSU. Senior Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, MA), who was tabbed to the All-Tournament team, recorded a near double-double with nine points and eight boards.
Penn State was paced by senior Josh Salter (St. Mary's, PA) who led all scorers with 25 points. Sophomore Woody Mitchell (Bushkill, PA) chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds while classmate William Welles (Philadelphia, PA) grabbed a game-best 12 caroms.
Worcester State led 9-5 in the early goings of the contest before they went on a 13-2 run over a five minute stretch to open up a 26-11 advantage. The Lions would respond by outscoring the Lancers 11-4 over the next three minutes to get within eight points (30-22) at the 5:19 mark, but WSU maintained the 38-27 lead at the intermission.
Coming out of the locker room, Penn State would open the second stanza with a 12-6 spurt to trail by five with 13:20 remaining (44-39). WSU connected for two of their first 10 shots from the field during that stretch of time.
That was when the Lancers put the clamps down on defense for a 9-2 skein for the 53-41 edge midway through the stanza.
With Worcester State ahead 59-49 with 5:28 left in regulation, the Lions used a pair of free throws and back-to-back treys to trail by six with 2:54 left on the clock.
Entering the final minute of play the Blue and Gold preserved the 67-60 lead after Ferraud and junior Derek Burdick (Coudersport, PA) traded three pointers and some points at the charity stripe.
Penn State then forced back-to-back Lancer miscues to get within three (67-64) with 27 ticks remaining, but senior Ryan Testagrossa (Athol, MA) helped ice the game with a pair of free throws before Timas ended the contest with a dunk in the waning seconds for the win.
Worcester State shot a solid 48 percent from the field in the opening period (14-for-29) while one-third of their points came from the free throw line as they connected for 73 percent from the stripe (24-for-33). WSU also had a 45-35 edge off the glass and a 38-28 advantage with points in the paint.
Penn State shot 37 percent for the contest (23-for-62) as they were 10-for-11 from the line in the second half.
The Lancers will open up MASCAC play on Saturday when they host MCLA at 5 PM. On Tuesday the Lions will head to Jamestown Community College for a 7 o'clock contest.