Men’s Basketball Pulls Away from Bridgewater State, 86-60

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's basketball team cruised to an 86-60 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Saturday afternoon at Brissette Court.

The host Lancers improve to 10-10 on the season and 5-2 in the MASCAC, while the Bears fall to 4-14 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Worcester has won each of the last three meetings of the two teams.

The Lancers led 46-34 at the break and got up by as many as 32 points (86-54) in the second half.

Senior center Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) and sophomore forward Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles to lead the way for Worcester State. Bjorn led all players with 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds (seven offensive), while Rubenskas notched 12 points and 12 boards (four offensive) in addition to three assists and three blocked shots.

The Lancers also received 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and three blocks from graduate guard Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.), and ten points on 5 of 9 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench from senior forward Otis Wheeler (Worcester, Mass.).

Freshman guard Quinton Champagne (Wrentham, Mass.) paced Bridgewater State with 14 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot in 18 minutes off the bench. Senior guard David Laine (Bourne, Mass.) checked in with ten points on 4 of 5 shooting for the Bears. Laine also added five rebounds and three assists.

Worcester shot 43% (35-81) for the game including 10-for-29 (35%) from three-point range. The Lancers, who turned the ball over just nine times, forced 18 turnovers and limited the Bears to 33% (22-66) shooting. Worcester finished with a 50-42 rebounding advantage with a 17-11 edge on the offensive glass.

In upcoming MASCAC action, the Lancers entertain the Owls of Westfield State University on Wednesday (Feb. 9) night at 7:30. The Bears are off until next Saturday (Feb. 12) afternoon when they host the Owls at three o'clock.