Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (9-6, 3-0 MASCAC) tipped off against the Trinity College Bantams (16-0, 3-0 NESCAC) in a non-conference matchup. Trinity College is currently ranked #6 in the nation and are a great test of skill for the Lancers who matched up against fellow NESCAC opponent Middlebury College in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season.

Final:

Worcester State: 69

Trinity: 88

HOW IT HAPPEND:

Senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) scored the first two points of the contest as he made a fadeaway shot to get the action started for the Lancers. First year guard Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner, MA) would then make a three point jump shot, assisted by graduate student Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, NC), against a tightly contested Trinity College defense, to up the offensive momentum. Senior Sam Dion (Barre, MA) would work the ball in the paint, charging in for two, to cut down Trinity's Lead 18-11 as the opening minutes of the first clicked away.  Worcester kept the game tight for a majority of the second half until Trinity went on a scoring run, seemingly unable to miss a bucket. Worcester would keep the pressure high though, and send the game into half only down 25-52.

At the half, the Lancers were led by Rubenskas with six points and a rebound; Dion with four points and an assist, and junior Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) with three points, four rebounds, and one assist.

Lancers started off the second half strong with a two point shot made by Nkrumah as they worked to build their way back into the game and cut into the Trinity lead. Junior Brandon Goris (Bronx, NY) would work to nearly single handedly put the Lancer back into the battle, going for eleven point scoring streak with an assist to go hand in hand with an outstanding defensive hustle as Worcester chipped away at the lead, bringing the game to within nineteen points. Senior Daniel Liberatore(Hopedale, MA) would also add to the comeback bid, scoring eight points, not missing a single shot during the stretch, as the team brought the game to within seventeen points and forced the Bantams onto their heels. A much needed timeout from Trinity would allow the team to regroup though and begin to go basket for basket with Worcester. As Worcester began to hit the shots that had just failed to fall in the first half, they were able to keep pace with the resurgent Bantams, closing out the game with a 69-88 loss.

Goris and Rubenskas would lead the team with 13 points, as Nkrumah dragged down eight rebounds in the game. 

Worcester State (9-7, 3-0) return to action on Wednesday when they journey to Salem State in a return to MASCAC play for a 7pm tip-off.