Worcester, MA- After a thrilling third straight victory, the Worcester State Men's Basketball team (8-12, 5-2) is back on their home court to host conference foe Westfield State (17-4, 7-1) for their second meeting of the season. Their first game of the season would find the Owls claim the 85-76 victory which the Lancers look to avenge this afternoon.
Final
Worcester State: 89
Westfield State: 85
How it Happened:
The first half came underway with the tip off going to the Lancers who capitalized on this, scoring the first points of the contest and taking the early lead. Worcester would carry strong momentum and would spring out to take an early 5+ point lead in the first. The Lancers played dominantly, taking full advantage of the momentum. Later in the first, Westfield would begin to find answers of their own as Westfield scored bucket after bucket to bring the game to a tie setting. The half would continue to be competitive, as both teams look to get back on track. The Lancers would stay out in front for most of the half. The key to their success being smart, non-selfish team basketball. The most impactful player of the half was junior Ayme Daguilh (West Boylston, MA), who accounted for 12 points, 4 rebounds and two steals. Worcester would go on a late intense run that would see them take a 54-47 lead into halftime.
With the second half starting, it brought more energy and angst then the previous half as the score became more crucial and pivotal. The Lancers looked determined to seal the deal while Westfield was watching their angst rise. This frustration would fuel them as Westfield would come out to play in the second half, converting that frustration to much needed points. Westfield would battle back, closing the lead to just 5 points in the quarter, the closest it had been since the first half. The Lancers needed to answer, and answer it they would, as their unselfish ballplay would continue to be the name of the game. As free throws became the deciding factor, Worcester would hit the shots they needed and just hold off a late charge by Westfield with a final sealing free throw from senior Brandon Goris (Bronx, NY) putting the game out of reach with just three seconds left. In a crucial conference match up the Lancers would claim the 89-85 victory.
Leading the charge for the Lancers was sophomore Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner, MA) with 24 points on the game and six rebounds while junior Shawn Hebert (Ayer, MA) was racking up the boards with 10 on the game.
What's Next:
The Blue and Gold (9-12, 6-2) will remain at home for their next game as they welcome Bridgewater State in the home battle of the 2024 MASCAC Championship rematch part two. Tip off is set for 5:30pm.