Worcester State Runs Past Fitchburg for MASCAC Win

WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State got a game-high 18 points from Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) and a double-double from Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) as they defeated Fitchburg State 85-54 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Brissette Court.

The Lancers (6-9, 1-1 MASCAC) shot 44% from the field and 42% from three-point land, while holding Fitchburg (2-11, 0-2 MASCAC) to under 30% shooting and just 3-18 from three.

Behind Bjorn's 12 rebounds, which he paired with 12 points, Worcester State had a 50-39 edge on the glass. They also forced 28 turnovers, with Orlando Thompson (Boston, Mass.) leading the way with 3 steals and Bjorn swatting four shots.

The hosts never trailed, as Sam Dion (Barre, Mass.) and Rubenskas hit back-to-back threes to help open up an 8-0 lead.

An Otis Wheeler (Worcester, Mass.) triple gave Worcester their first double-digit lead and as the half wore down, Dion fed Rubenskas for a dunk and a three-point play to make it 39-23 at the break.

The second half saw 12 different Lancers get in the scorebook, including 9 of Chris Cardoso's (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) 14 points, and seven points off the bench for Daniel Liberatore (Hopedale, Mass.).

Dion finished with 8 points and 9 assists, three more than Fitchburg's total. Tyler Spencer (Pembroke, Mass.) scored six points off the bench in the victory.

Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.) led the Falcons with 9 points off the bench, which scored 34 of their 54 points. Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) had eight points and eight rebounds, and Larry Mendes (Brockton, Mass.) had eight points and seven boards with a steal.

Worcester will be back home on Saturday at 3:00 PM when they welcome in MCLA for another MASCAC tilt. At the same time, Fitchburg will be on the road at Bridgewater State.