Second Half Bid Falls Short as Lancers Dropped by Owls

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (4-16, 3-4) travel over to the Woodward center to take on the Westfield State Owls (12-9, 5-3) looking to improve their win streak to 3 games and get the even 500 conference record against the Owls who claimed the victory over them in a earlier game this season 78-64.

FINAL:

Westfield State: 99

Worcester State: 76

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Sophomore guard Cameron Watkins (Dracut, MA) would go into the paint for the layup and give the Lancers the first 2 points of the game, to get the action started in Westfield. First year center Alana Smith (Chicopee MA) and senior guard Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro MA) would add to the opening action for Worcester State with additions from first year guard Ava Lemanski (Clinton MA) and first year Guard Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA. The Westfield defense would put up a strong front for the Lancers slowing down their offensive attack with high pressure that allowed them to jump out to a 29-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A successful free throw attempt from junior Abby St. Martin (Putnam, CT) would see the Lancers work to chip away at the Owls lead in the second quarter. A strong defensive stance from the Lancers would see the Owls go cold in their shots, with nearly two minutes of scoreless action as the Lancers looked to close the gap. A late surge though at the end end of the quarter would see the Owls extend their lead to 24 points forcing a timeout and re-asses from the Worcester bench in a bid to stem the tide before halftime. Coming out of the timeout Hurynowicz would drive into the paint for two to try to get some momentum for the Lancers late in the first half. Waldron would add to the action with lobs for two sandwiched between points by Hurynowicz going to the free throw line and getting two and to give a 6-0 run for the Worcester State close to the end of the first half for the Lancers, with the team heading into the half down 51-29.

Leading Worcester State in scoring in the first half of action was Watkins with nine points while Waldron and senior Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA) would each claim five rebounds in the action.

Second half action kicked off with Hurynowicz opening the half with the jumper  in the paint for two to give Worcester their first points of the half. Waldron would be a key player in the back and forth action of the third quarter with Hurynowicz, creating runs for the Lancers on offense. As the third quarter came to a close Hurynowicz opened it with a bang with 11 points to put her tally to 18. 

As fourth quarter action went underway Watkins, who had a quiet third quarter, opened the fourth with some strong shorting to get the final quarter of action started. Thomas and Smith would go back to back for two with shots inside the paint to keep the Lancers hot. First year Hannah Manzaro (West Brookfield, MA) would join in on the action with a little over 4 minutes in regulation as she dropped a shot for two. Hurynowicz followed her up for another two tallying 24 points with 17 scored in the second half in her dominating half of play. The all around presence of the Lancers was just not enough to overcome the hot start of the first half from the Owls, as they fell 99-76.

Hurynowicz would lead the day for Worcester with 24 points, while Thomas would be the defense force with 11 rebounds. Smith, coming off the bench would have an overall presence with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Worcester State Women's basketball team now stands at (4-17, 3-5) and will next travel to Bridgewater State for a 5:30 tip off next Wednesday. Westfield State now goes to (13-9, 6-3) and will now travel to Fitchburg State for a 5pm tip off on the 7th.