Worcester, MA- After a back and forth battle last night that ultimately saw the Lancers Women's Basketball team (0-1, 0-0) fall to WPI in the opening action of the Worcester City Tournament, the Lancers are back on the court tonight hoping to grab win number one versus Anna Maria. Anna Maria fell to Clark in the first game last night, setting up both teams for a fight to the first win.
Final
Worcester State: 65
Anna Maria: 44
How it Happened:
Worcester would jump out to an early lead in the first quarter starting with a senior Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA) free throw to get the game rolling. Sophomore Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) would add another two free throws and senior Abby St. Martin (Putnam, CT) would jump the Lancers out 5-3 early. A three pointer halfway through the first by sophomore Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA) to go along with the trio above work would see Worcester up 11-5 and setting the pace early in the action. Sophomores Hannah Lomonaco (Northbridge, MA), with six additional, and Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA), with two of her own to guide the Lancers to a 22-6 lead.
Worcester would not slow down in the second as their defense continued to hold Anna Maria to single digits for over 15 minutes, as they forced turnovers and missed shots across the court for the AMCATs. By the end of the second Worcester had pushed their lead to 15 with a 31-16 lead. Despite taking a backseat offensively in the second, their defense would grant them a considerable lead as we entered the third quarter. The Lancers would keep up the defensive ferocity but increase their offensive efficiency. They team got out to an early start in part by Hurynowicz, who recorded 6-2-1-1 in the quarter. The Lancers wouldn't slack on defense either as they would hold Anna Marie to 10 points in the quarter.
The third would see Worcester continue to hold their lead and expand it to 16 points after getting as high as 25 in the course of action. The contribution was a complete team effort that would transfer into the fourth quarter as Worcester set themselves up for success.
The fourth would begin and Worcester State would work to hold onto their lead. The Lancers would play a perfect brand of team basketball with defense as the X factor in this contest. Along with their offensive efficiency, the Lancers had 4 players with 10+ points, that would extend their lead numerous times, the Worcester defense would keep Anna Maria's attack in control. Worcester would keep the pressure on as they would extend the lead to 21, taking the contest with a final score of 65-44.
Hurynowicz would lead the team with a double double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Waldron would continue her first year success with 15 points and nine rebounds on the night.
What's Next:
Worcester State (1-1, 0-0) hosts their first home game next Wednesday when they welcome the Wellesley Blues to Brissette Court for a 7:30pm meeting.