Lancers Battle it out versus Trinity in 14th Annual Math Madness Game

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State University Women's basketball team hosted the 14th annual Math madness game versus the Trinity College Bantams, who have been receiving national ranking votes all season, on Tuesday afternoon. Worcester State welcomed over 600 students from Tatnuck Magnet, Chandler Magnet and May Street School to Brissette Court for a competitive game of basketball and math. The Lancers kept it close for a majority of the game before the bantams were able to come away with the 70-47 victory. 

The Lancers kept the game close in the first quarter against power house Trinity in front of a jam packed and excited crowd at  Brissette Court. Senior forward Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA) fresh off a career-high 27 points last game opened up the scoring, making both free throws after being fouled. 

Worcester started down 11-2 early in the contest, but a Coach Karen Tessmer  timeout settled the game flow. The break in play proved to work with Hurynowicz burying a three with 4:10 remaining to cut the deficit to 11-5. Hurynowicz picked up two quick fouls early in the quarter, finding herself on the bench to avoid future trouble. First-year center Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) hauled in an offensive rebound, freeing her for an open layup chipping away at the deficit. Sophomore guard Siarra Francis (Marlborough, MA) scored her first points of the afternoon, draining a three from downtown to cut the lead to a one point game 11-10.

Junior Abby St. Martin (Putnam, Conn.) found success from three-point territory, hitting two three's in the quarter. With 4:40 remaining in the second quarter, St. Martin made a defensive impact deflecting a Trinity pass to senior guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA) leading to a fast-break down the court driving to the basket making a layup while being fouled. Thomas made the free throw to complete the three-point play cutting the lead to six. 

Later in the quarter, Hurynowicz displayed determination and hustle with the Lancers down 12 jumping on a loose ball in the defensive zone displaying the captain's heart and hustle. The senior finished the first half with nine points and four rebounds. St. Martin ended the half with seven points, shooting 2-2 from three-point range. 

Trinity's senior center Reilly Campbell (Wallingford, Conn.) led all first-half scorers with 17 points, shooting 8-12 from the field with five rebounds.

During a double length halftime, students from the three participating schools were welcomed to the court to take part in a number of math challenges that focused around not only basic measurements of basketball courts, but the currency year statistics of Worcester State players. The students were assisted by an array of Worcester State staff, alumni and students as they worked to answer a packet of math related questions in hopes of not only coming away with a prize, but to also foster a love and respect for mathematics.

The Lancers utilized the high intensity of the halftime fun to work into the Bantams lead. Near the seven minute mark down 42-27 in the third quarter, the Lancers had back-to-back steals from Hurynowicz and Francis. The second steal led to some impactful offense with four-time MASCAC Rookie of the Week guard Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) netting a three.

Hurynowicz launched a three that missed, but followed up her shot to eventually get the ball and go up with it in traffic to get the tough bucket.

Waldron, now in rhythm, drove down the left side of the lane for a fancy up and under layup to make it an 11 point game. Hurynowicz, making her presence felt, went up for a bucket in traffic making the shot and being sent to the line for another Lancer three-point play, netting the free shot to put the Lancers within 10. 

In the final quarter of action, from the left corner, St. Martin pulled up for an unsuccessful mid-range shot, but kept the possession alive, getting the offensive rebound and finding Hurynowicz for the two points.

St. Martin again fired from mid-range miss and kept the offense alive with the follow up getting her own offensive rebounding and being fouled for two free throws. 

Smith made her second put back of the game while being hacked and sent to the line to finish the and-one opportunity.

Hurynowicz finished the day as Lancer high-scorer with 16 points while adding 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. St. Martin finished with nine points and five rebounds. 

Trinity's Reilly Campbell scored 19 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Teammate senior forward Emma Wax (Pine Brook, N.J.) finished her day with 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds. 

After the game, the elementary school students were invited to the court for pictures and autographs with student-athletes from both teams as well as photos with Worcester State mascot, Chandler, who was an active presence throughout the game posing for pictures and signing autographs for those in attendance.

With the loss, the Lancers record falls to (1-13, 0-1 MASCAC) while Trinity improves to (9-5, 0-1 NESCAC). The team's next game will be a home opening MASCAC matchup against Westfield State (8-7, 1-1 MASCAC) tomorrow, January 10th, at 5:30 PM.