Lancers Fall in Double Overtime Thriller to Trailblazers

Worcester, MA- Looking to make it six straight conference wins in a row, the Worcester State Men's Basketball team (8-10, 6-1) headed to MCLA to begin their second round of conference meetings. In their last meeting at the start of January Worcester State just edged out MCLA 89-79 after a tight battle to open the conference action. 

Final

Worcester State: 99

MCLA: 102

How it Happened:

MCLA would make an early opening run to the game going up 6-0 before junior Daniel Wondie (Seattle, WWA) would open the scoring for the Lancers just over two minutes in. A sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA) layup would set Worcester behind by just one. Another Wondie three pointer at just over 13 minutes on the clock would provide Worcester their first lead of the game. A tight battle would ensue until halftime with each team grabbing slight leads, but never able to pull away as the game moved to 41-40 at the half. MCLA would hold the shooting advantage from field goal range while Worcester was claiming their ground from behind the arc.

The second half continued the Wondie three point barrage as both teams continued to trade points and leads until the final horn of regulation found both teams settled at 80-80. Wondie would contribute six threes in regulation.  A steal by senior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA) at the end of regulation would provide Worcester a second life in overtime.. 

In the first overtime, the Lancers had timely stops and buckets. Okla took a late lead for the team on a layup with 30 seconds remaining. On the other end MCLA could not capitalize on regaining their lead as Colin Quinn went to the line, missing one of two free throws for a 91-91 score. The Lancers could not generate a shot on the final possession of the first overtime as sophomore Jaydon Buckle (Windsor Locks, CT) had a bobbled possession as time expired. 

Double OT saw the Trailblazers open up with a quick 5-0 run. Worcester climbed back and junior Ethan Daleba (Dorchester, MA) tied the game up at 96 a piece with under 2 minutes to play. After a back and forth stretch Worcester failed to make clutch free throws and a game tying three point attempt as MCLA Trailblazers defeated the Lancers 102-99. 

Okla would claim another double-double in the action with 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Wondie led Worcester with 22 points. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (8-11, 6-2) are headed back home on Wednesday, February 4th in their White Out Game where they host Westfield State at 7:30pm.