Late Surge Pushes Western Connecticut Past Worcester State, 84-76

WORCESTER, Mass. – A late push from Western Connecticut State University's top three scorers, Bobby Bynum (New Haven, Conn.), Tre'Von Perry (Waterbury, Conn.), and Jacuh Green (Hartford, Conn.) helped the Colonials surge past the Worcester State University Lancers 84-76 Tuesday (Dec. 13) evening inside the Lancer Gymnasium.

The first half saw six lead changes in the first six minutes of play, until the Colonial's Kevin Love (Bristol, Conn.) kick off an 11-0 run to advance the score to 18-8 in their favor. Worcester State closed the gap at 22-21 when junior Mickey Lyons (Burlington, Mass.) drained a triple with 6:21 remaining, and then he tied the score moments later on a layup. After four more lead changes, the Colonials closed out the half with an 8-5 run to go into the intermission ahead 40-36.

After back-and-forth play in the second half, Worcester State took their last lead of the game on a layup from Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) with 2:41 left to play. The Colonials' Bynum scored the next point which started an 11-2 run for Western Connecticut to close out the game atop 84-76.

Bynum led all scoring with 25 points while chipping in three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Perry put up 19 points and eight boards, while registering an impressive six blocks on the evening. Green recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while attaining a game-high five assists and four steals.

Two Lancers registered double-doubles while two others scored in double-digits. Lyons tallied 13 points, 10 assists and a block, while Brooks picked up the other with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Worcester's Jamal Mustapha (Worcester, Mass.) led the Lancers with 19 points while Aaron Anniballi (Milford, Mass.) chipped in 10.

Throughout the game, Western Connecticut caused 24 Worcester State turnovers, in which 14 of them came in the first half. The team totaled 16 steals throughout the entirety of the game.

Despite the loss for the Lancers, they outshot their opponents in all three shooting categories. The Blue and Gold notched a 54.4 percent field goal percentage, a 35.7 three-point field goal percentage, and an 81.8 free throw percentage.

The Lancers (1-9) will take a two-week break and return to play Dec. 29 and 30 when they host Roger Williams and Sage. The Colonials (7-2) resume play on Jan. 2 when they host TCNJ in a 7 p.m. matchup.