WORCESTER, MA - Worcester State hosted the 2023 Tip-Off Madness game to kickoff the season on Wednesday night in the Men's Basketball home opener versus WPI. 

Energy was high on John P. Brisette court Wednesday evening with the stands packed in blue for the nights Blue Out and the fans cheering loudly. WPI gained a lead and did not let up. Despite this, junior Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) was able to earn 12 points for the Lancers while senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) and Sam Dion (Barre, MA) had 6 and 4 points respectively. Donovan Sevilla (San Ramon, CA) of WPI led his team in points with 14. 

Worcester trailed leading into the second period but worked to climb their way back into the competition. The entire second half was within a nine-point window, as the Engineers' lead would expand to 19 at one point but Worcester would claw back to ten points on four different occasions over the last five minutes but were able to shave the deficit to single digits.  The Lancers found themselves unlucky on several shot opportunities that bounced off the rim while it seemed the Engineer's had luck on their side. Nkrumah again led the team with points with 14, three of which were 3-pointers. As the need for points got more and more dire, fouls became more frequent. The Lancers remained within reach but were unable to make up the difference before time ran out dropping the opener 77-65.

Nkrumah, the reigning MASCAC Player of the Year and a preseason D3hoops.com All-America, led all players with 26 points to go along with seven boards, three steals and a pair of assists.  Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA), also a returning All-MASCAC performer chipped in with 13 points and six rebounds and was joined in double figures in scoring by Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, NC), who collected 11 points.

The Lancers (0-1, 0-0) play next at Wentworth on Saturday with a 5 pm tip off.