Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (16-9, 10-2 MASCAC) hosted the MCLA Trailblazers (14-11, 7-5 MASCAC) in the MASCAC Men's Basketball Semifinals for an opportunity to advance to the championship game.
FINAL: LANCERS 76 | MCLA 52
PRE-GAME NOTES:
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The season series between these two teams is even at (1-1). MCLA traveled to Worcester on January 24th, handing the Lancers their first home loss since Feb. 14, 2021. Worcester returned the favor, defeating MCLA on the road 100-76 last week.
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MCLA's senior guard Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, MA) is a potential candidate for Conference Player of the Year. Gittens finished the regular season tied for first in points per game (20.0 PPG), third in rebounds (9.1 REB), and second in assists per game (4.3 AST).
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Worcester senior forward and last season's MASCAC Player of the Year Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, MA) ended his regular season tied with Gittens in points per game (20.0 PPG). Nkrumah, selected as a Preseason All-American, finished seventh in rebounds per game (8.0 REB) alongside placing second in steals per game (2.6 STL)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The MASCAC Semifinals kicked off with the Lancers winning the opening tip and marching down the court as senior center Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, MA) finished off a layup at the rim to take the first lead of the game. Eight minutes into the half, Aaron Nkrumah drove down the lane with defenders in space, elevating for an emphatic one-handed jam. Two minutes remained in the half as Nkrumah saw a lane open up again driving with a head full of steam and throwing down once again raising the crowd's energy.
Trailblazers sophomore guard Jake Bluestein (San Diego, CA) found a groove, draining two three-pointers in the half to keep MCLA within striking distance. Senior guard Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, MA) had a dominant first-half performance scoring thirteen points with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Lancers took a 38-32 lead into the halftime break. Nkrumah had twelve points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Teammate and sophomore guard Brandon Goris (Bronx, NY) finished with ten points on four of five shooting from the field.
Returning from intermission the Trailblazers came out firing on all cylinders in an attempt for a comeback victory. Gittens displayed his conference dominance making multiple tough shots and layups as he was heavily defended using his strength and speed to finish. Bluestein drilled his third three-pointer of the night in the half in the MCLA bid to stay tight on the action.
Senior guard Sam Dion (Barre, MA) scored sixteen points hauling in three rebounds and two steals. Ryan Rubenskas scored eighteen points and six rebounds in the victory. Worcester had a commanding 63-49 lead as six minutes remained in the game coasting to a victory after a 6-2 team foul advantage. Brandon Goris's night ended with eighteen points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Gittens finished the night with a monster stat line of twenty-three points, thirteen rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Bluestein had nine points on the night with teammate Jayden Mills scoring five points and taking in four rebounds.
WHATS NEXT?:
With the victory, the Lancers return to the MASCAC Championship for a third consecutive year where they will host Bridgewater State on Saturday, February 24th with a scheduled tip-off at 1 PM.