Men's Basketball Slips by Clark, 64-62

Worcester State 64, Clark 62

Box Score

Worcester, MA – Junior Maurice Horton (Detroit, MI) registered game-highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds and the Worcester State College men’s basketball team withstood a determined effort by the host Clark University to post an exciting 64-62 victory in non-conference action on Thursday evening at the Kneller Athletic Center.

Winners of two straight, Worcester State improved to 2-3 overall. Clark evened its record at 3-3 on the young season.

A turnaround skyhook from senior Peter Normandin (Westminster, MA) pulled Clark within 56-53 with 2:31 remaining. However, just seconds later Horton hit a corner three pointer to increase the Lancers lead back up to six (59-53). The Cougars responded again to keep it close (56-59), as junior Slader Lyell (Portsmouth, RI) drained a deep three at the top of the key as time expired on the shot clock and just over a minute left to play.

Following a timeout, junior Brandon Fortes (Pawtucket, RI) made good on a two-point basket for a five point (61-56) WSC advantage. On the ensuing possession, a costly turnover and a hard foul by Clark’s Mark Alexander (Providence, RI) led to a pair of key free throws from Horton for a 63-56 edge with 19 seconds left.

Clark was not done, however, answering with a 6-0 run over the next 12 seconds. Freshman Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, MA) poured in his first three of the night to trail 59-63 with 14 seconds remaining. After a Clark timeout, Worcester State turned over the inbound pass and the Cougars made a pair of three-point attempts before Lyell sank the third for a one-point game (62-63) with .6 showing on the clock. The Lancers next inbound pass went their way, as senior Salvatore DeMarco (Queens, NY) was called for the foul on the play. With .3 seconds remaining, junior Elijah Sims (Worcester, MA) converted on one-of-two free throws to account for the final score.

The Lancers got off to a strong start, leading by as many as 14 (26-12) on a jumper by Horton at 9:48 of the first half. The Cougars erased the lead to six (22-28) on a trey by Jack Minister (Manchester, England) at 5:01. But, Worcester State was able to push its advantage up to 10 (32-22) on Kevin Gena’s (Lynn, MA) dunk and held on to lead by nine at the half, 36-27.

Worcester State shot 40.7 percent (24-for-59) on its field goals in the game, while Clark made 21 of 56 attempts (37.5%).

Fortes and Patrick Hamilton (Templeton, MA) had 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Worcester State.

Clark had two players in double-figures in points. Alexander hit 8 of 15 shots from the field and had 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Vayda finished with 11 points and a team-best nine rebounds.

Clark will host Endicott College on Saturday (1 p.m.). Worcester State will compete in the Hockenbury Tournament at Norwich University this weekend. The Lancers will take on Colby-Sawyer on Saturday (8 p.m.).

Story Courtesy of Clark University Sports Information