Men's Basketball Downed by #25 WPI

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University men's basketball team dropped a 68-47 decision to #25 WPI Tuesday evening in non-conference action at John P. Brissette Court.

With the loss, the Lancers drop to 2-5 overall on the season. The Engineers improve to 6-1.

The first half was relatively tight, with neither team holding a decided advantage in the opening 20 minutes. WPI junior Garrett Stephenson (Townsend, Mass.) led all scorers with 10 points in the half, while Worcester State got seven points and seven boards from guard Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.). The Engineers carried a 33-27 lead into the locker room.

Worcester State's offense went ice cold in the second half, and the Engineers pulled away. A three-pointer from Cal Howes (Maynard, Mass.) with 17:52 remaining cut the deficit to 37-30 early in the half, but the bucket would be the only three-pointer hit by the Lancers in the half. The hosts shot 1-of-13 from distance in the second half, and 6-of-30 in the game. 

WPI also struggled from deep in the half, shooting 1-of-11 from three, but scored 28 of their 35 second half points in the paint to seal the victory.

Stephenson's 18 points was enough to lead all scorers, while his 11 boards gave him WPI's lone double-double. The visitors also received 15 points from junior Reid Walker (Tampa, Fla.) and a dozen points from junior Colin McNamara (Arlington, Mass.).

Cardoso, Howes, and senior Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) all scored 11 points to lead the Lancers. Cardoso grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The Lancers will be off until Monday when they travel to Baruch College. The Engineers will host Fitchburg State at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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