Lancers Second Half Strength Takes Down Falcons

Worcester, MA- After a strong showing that found Worcester State Women's Basketball (4-9, 1-1) going down to the final seconds in a Math Madness meeting on Monday afternoon versus Emerson, the Lancers are back in conference action as they host the Fitchburg State Falcons.

Final

Worcester State: 60

Fitchburg State: 50

How it Happened:

Worcester State would jump out to a quick lead behind junior Lena Waldron's (Quincy, MA) opening layup. Juniors Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA) and Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) would tack on some additional points to help cushion the Lancers early as they attempted to make quick work across the court. The Falcons would threaten midway through the first before senior Hannah Lomonaco (Northbridge, MA) would recreate the cushion for Worcester. Fitchburg would manage to find the tie late but Haynes, who ended the game with 19 points and seven rebounds, stepped up and sank a three to reclaim the lead. 

Fitchburg would start with the momentum in the second half pushing ahead by five points but Worcester quickly worked to reassert themselves. Smith would make the hard fought layup to bring the game square again at 27-27 with just under four minutes until half followed by another crucial layup for the lead. They teams would again swap control with Fitchburg pushing to a four point lead before junior Aydan Gulliver (Cranston, RI) would cut it in half for a 33-35 score in Fitchburg's favor. 

Haynes would continue her strong shooting and presence on the court to tie the game up quickly as Smith would again put Worcester back in the lead. Haynes and Smith would combine to extend Worcester's lead to six, but the Falcons refused to give an inch. But Haynes, on her determined shooting mission, would help Worcester to the six point lead by the close of the third for a 47-41 lead.

First year Lena Malymina (Franklin, MA) would start the scoring in the fourth where Worcester would manage some rocky moments on the court but as the game came down to the final moments, Worcester, led by the dominance of Haynes would hold off any attempts from Fitchburg and with Lomonaco's final second free throws, locked up the 60-50 victory.

Lomonaco and Smith would lead the Lancers with 10 and 13 rebounds respectively, in a strong defensive showing.

What's Next:

Worcester State (5-9, 2-1) has two short days off before they journey to Framingham State to take on the Rams on Saturday at 12pm.