Comeback Bids Fall Just Short versus Panthers

Worcester, MA- The Lancers opened up this contest at 1-1 after grabbing a thrilling win this weekend at Wentworth. An opening day defeat to WPI in an unorthodox Midnight Madness was followed by an away win at Wentworth. The Lancers were looking to get their first win at home of the season against a difficult non-conference opponent in Plymouth State (1-0).

The game opened up with the Lancers on the back foot. Only 2 points in 3 minutes was one of the slower starts for the Lancers all season. A timeout would be called and this would spark a junior Aaron Nukumurah (Worcester,MA) offensive assault. The forward would decide to hit two threes in a row and would get to the line to make it 8 quick points. Graduate student Sam Davies (Worcester,MA) the third guard of the three-guard starting lineup would unfortunately run into early foul trouble limiting his presence early in the first half. This would allow for first year wing Jaylen Kirkland (Gardner,MA) to check into the game. The first year was an impact player off the bench with many hustle plays. He was not only a pest on defense, but also secured 2 boards in 2 minutes and hit 2 three-pointers to really provide the Lancers a further spark of offensive energy. The leading scorer of the first half was Nkrumah who had 19. The scoreline would read 42-43 and the advantage would be in favor of the Lancers. 

The second half would see the original starting lineup of senior Sam Dion (Barre, MA), graduate student Zion Hendrix (Charlotte,NC), and Davies leading the backcourt with senior Ryan Rubenskas (Bridgewater,MA) and Nkrumah in the frontcourt. Lancers would go down 4 with 4 minutes gone in the 2nd half. Both teams would elect to press each other in their own half. A Rubenskas layout would stop a 3-minute scoreless drought. 51-55 would be the score with 12:30 remaining in the half. Rubenskas would get two blocks to add to the two he had in the first half. A big three pointer from junior Subi Nkugwa (Chelmsford,MA) would bring the crowd back into the game. A Davies drawn charge would have the Brissette Court standing to help drive the comeback momentum. Both teams would trade a couple of three pointers but Plymouth would maintain a 4 point lead with 5 minutes left in the contest. 

Nkrumah free throws would start crunch time of this back and forth game going 1 for 2. Plymouth would get a three pointer to make it 63-69 but a draught would hit for both teams as there were no buckets in the next 6 possessions for both. Despite a comeback attempt and some attempted deep three pointers from the Lancers, Worcester would lose this contest 63-72. 

Worcester State, with a record of 1-2 will travel on the road to play Williams College in the Purple and Gold Tournament this weekend and look to come away from the weekend sitting over .500.