Worcester State Falls to Springfield in Season Opener

Springfield 61, Worcester State 45

Box Score

Sprigfield, MA --- Springfield senior forward Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) poured in a career-best 25 points and added a game-high 15 rebounds as the Springfield College women's basketball team opened up the 2008-2009 season with a 61-45 win over the visiting Worcester State Lancers on Monday evening.

Finch, who previously had a career-high of 23 points as a sophomore against Mount Holyoke, was outstanding in the contest as she went 8-of-14 from the field and connected on 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. Of her 15 rebounds, nine were on the offensive glass. She also added a team-best five assists in the contest.

The Lancers jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the opening 3:40 as Reilly O'Keefe connected on a pair of three's to jump start Worcester State's offense. Springfield struggled in the opening half to find any rhythm on the offense end, as it shot just 30% from the field. Meanwhile, the Lancers couldn't miss, hitting 5-of-9 from downtown and 52.2% overall from the field in the opening stanza. Worcester State which led by as many as 10 in the first half, went into the locker room up two, 30-28.

The second half was a different story for the Pride, as it turned up its defense, holding the Lancers to just 15 points. Forcing 19 turnovers in the second half alone and 32 for the game, Springfield turned those Worcester State mishaps into 30 points. As Worcester State went without a bucket for nearly a seven-minute span in the second half, the Pride's offense picked up as it went on to lead by as much as 20.

Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, NY) also posted a double-double for the Pride as she notched 10 points and 10 rebounds, while chipping in with three of the Pride's 16 steals. Kelly Murphy (Mechanicville, NY) recorded a game-high five steals in her first collegiate game. The Pride was solid from the charity stripe, hitting 19 of 26 attempts in the game.

For Worcester State, O'Keefe led the way with 19 points, including four three-pointers, while adding six rebounds.

Springfield returns to action on Wednesday night when it travels to take on Colby-Sawyer. Worcester State will entertain Mount Holyoke on Wednesday at 7 PM in their home opener.

Release Courtesy of Springfield College Sports Information