Worcester, MA - The Men's Basketball team traveled to Williamstown, MA on Saturday to play against the St. Joseph's Golden Eagles from Long Island in the second game of the Purple and Gold Classic hosted by Williams College. The Lancers clinched their second win of the season with a solid victory over the Golden Eagles. 

St. Joseph earned the first points of the match and kept the lead until Worcester State was able to tie it up at 7-7. The score remained close throughout the entirety of the first half, with both teams going back and forth for the lead. First year Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner, MA) led Worcester with 12 points, 2 of which were from outside the three. Xavier Allen (Mattituck, NY) and Alec Tabada (North Babylon, NY) kept St. Joseph's on the board with 13 points each. The first half ended 34-35. 

The beginning of the second half looked much like the first as the score remained close. About five minutes in, the Lancers scored two three-pointers while holding off the Golden Eagles with a strong defensive game and solid rebounds. Senior Sam Dion (Barre, MA) pushed Worcester State into the lead, ending the game with 24 points on the afternoon. Worcester gained a 9 point lead by the final minutes of action, and were able to continue to play offensively while simultaneously playing tactical defense in order to keep the lead and end the game in a 77-68 victory. Junior Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) had 10 rebounds on the game while him, Kirkland, and senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) each earned Worcester 12 points. 

The Lancers are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Western New England for a 7pm start.