Second Half Surge Sends Lancers Past Fighting Scots
Worcester, MA- After a thriller last night versus Connecticut College, the Worcester State Men’s basketball team (1-7, 0-0) closes out their 2025 season with a meeting on Brissette Court with the Gordon College Fighting Scots.
Worcester, MA- After a thriller last night versus Connecticut College, the Worcester State Men's basketball team (1-7, 0-0) closes out their 2025 season with a meeting on Brissette Court with the Gordon College Fighting Scots.
Final
Worcester State: 85
Gordon College: 65
How it Happened:
During the first quarter of play, Worcester State University and Gordon College exchanged positive and negative fortunes regularly, as both teams created numerous second-chance opportunities and executed quick transitions. For most of the game, Worcester State captured the lead with early points from strong offensive and defensive possession play by senior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA), junior Ethan Daleba (Dorchester, MA), sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA), and graduate student Tyrone Victor (Brockton, MA), which generated numerous second-chance scoring opportunities through offensive rebounds, steals, and free throw attempts. Both teams capitalized on quick turnover sequences to move the ball back and score. As Worcester State earned control of the game with layups off stolen in-bound passes, while simultaneously Gordon cut down the lead with timely three-point shooting. The teams substituted players frequently and relied extensively on putbacks, turnovers, and defensive rebounds to generate scoring opportunities for themselves. Later in the half, Gordon's defensive pressure resulted in more than one turnover, and key baskets from Annan and junior Dajon Burton (Brockton, MA) closed the gap in the score. Although Worcester State began the half with the lead due to stronger second-chance scoring opportunities inside, Gordon was able to tie the game with second-chance opportunities generated from offensive rebounds, steals, and transition points at the end of the sequence.
Despite sustained stretches of frenetic, chaotic play where Gordon managed to lead comfortably, Worcester State slowly gained ground possession by possession. Sophomore Jaydon Buckle (Windsor Locks, CT) created several opportunities to score off various drives to the bucket along with valuable stops defensively. Worcester State clawed their way back by consistently being able to attack the rim getting to the free-throw line with sophomore Rayan Sablon (Stoughton, MA), getting victories inside with the defense forcing turnover attempts in the final minutes of the half. Ultimately, the final two-three minutes of the first half, despite the many opportunities they had to take control of the game, through additional steals and chances to fast break, with timely scoring by Okla and Annan allowed them to maintain a slim 43–44 lead going into halftime after a last second dunk by Annan.
A more aggressive second half would find the Lancers claim the control of the game and set the Fighting Scots back on their heels. The Lancers would outscore Gordon by a score of 43-22 as they charged to their second win of the season. Sophomore Cavin Pollard (South Windsor, CT) would end the game for Worcester State with a layup in the final seconds. This entire timeframe demonstrated Worcester state's willingness to fight, create pressure defensively and create the opportunity to generate momentum, even when Gordon was able to respond with timely scores to keep them in the lead. Worcester ends the game defeating Gordon 85-65.
Annan would lead the Lancers with 16 points and eight rebounds.
What's Next:
The Lancers (2-7, 0-0) will now go on holiday break with a return to action at Williams College on January 3rd with a 1 pm start.