Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (7-6, 1-0 MASCAC) tipped off against the Westfield State Owls (11-4, 2-0 MASCAC) in a conference championship rematch of last year.
The Lancers claimed victory punching a ticket to the NCAA Tournament last season when they defeated the Owls 65-53. These two teams have met in the past three conference championships, Westfield claiming the two championships prior to last season. This game could easily affect playoff seedings and matchups in February.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) scored the first bucket of the game on a power post move bodying the Owl defender. First-year forward Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner, MA) followed with a smooth driving spin to the basket, scoring the bucket. Kirkland has impressed in his first season with the Lancers showcasing his skills throughout the first month of the season. Preseason All-American Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) drained a three, putting himself on the score sheet for the first time tonight.
Rubenskas in the paint waited for the missed shot, securing the ball while going up for his second bucket of the night. Nkrumah, a strong candidate for defensive player of the year, poked the ball out of the Owl player's hands where his teammate secured possession and passed to a wide-open driving Nkrumah in transition who threw it down with a one handed dunk.
7:30 remained in the first as the big man Rubenskas displayed his passing skills, connecting with a driving Nkrumah for the easy wide-open layup. Graduate student Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, NC) drove from the left side of the basket, floating a tear-drop putting the Lancers up 30-29.
Junior guard Nate Bangandozou (Worcester, MA), for the second straight game played a great defensive possession as he stole the ball with help from graduate student guard Sam Davies (Worcester, MA). Shortly after, Bangandozou went up for the bucket making the basket and hitting the ground hard after being fouled. Bangandozou recorded a second steal leading to a fast break basket finding Rubenskas for his 18th point of the night.
Early in the second-half Rubenskas continued his game dominance scoring the first points after the break. Rubenskas stole the ball quickly afterwards as defense turned into offense with senior Sam Dion (Barre, MA) swishing a three putting the Lancers up 49-43. Dion followed up later in the half with a hard take to the bucket drawing the foul and hitting both free-throws.
Rubenskas, with a heat check under the basket, went up for a highly contested basket and was nifty enough to avoid the block and put Worcester up 10. The next possession saw Davies drive the lane flying through the air for a bucket, hitting the ground hard for the tough two-points.
Nine minutes remained as the ball found Nkrumah in the corner for a wide open three where he elevated and drilled the shot, the score now 67-57. Two possessions later, Nkrumah hit a deep two, adding to the Worcester lead. Hendrix, with space, drove down the right side of the lane for his sixth point of the night. Nkrumah recorded another steal, throwing down once again receiving a technical for celebrating the crisp steal and jam.
Rubenskas, continuing his dominance in the paint, had the ball going up for his 29th point of the night. He would end the day with 33 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Nkrumah ended his night with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Westfield State had three players in double digits as Owls Juju Omot had 24 points and eight rebounds with teammate Lid Moreland scoring 15 points hauling in seven rebounds.
With the win the Lancers record improves to (8-6, 2-0 MASCAC), securing their 14th straight MASCAC victory, with Westfield dropping to (11-5, 2-1 MASCAC).
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Lancers return to action with a home game Saturday vs. Bridgewater State in a conference matchup scheduled for 2 PM.