Lancers Go the Distance with Saint Joseph's in Season Opener

Worcester, MA- Kicking off the season against the currently #25 ranked Saint Joseph's College, the Worcester State Men's Basketball is looking to make some noise early in the season as they compete at UMass-Dartmouth in their Lafrance Hospitality Tournament. 

Final

Worcester State: 80

Saint Joseph: 91

How it Happened:

Worcester State Men's Basketball opened their 2025–26 campaign with an enthusiastic effort on Friday night at the Lafrance Hospitality Tournament hosted by UMass Dartmouth, falling 91–80 to a tough Saint Joseph (CT) squad in a fast-paced neutral-site matchup.

Worcester State would start a bit slower off the tip off, allowing the Bluejays to jump ahead early to an early 14 point lead. The Lancers would work to dig into the gap, cutting into Saint Joseph's lead. After trailing 52–34 at halftime, Worcester State stormed back in the second half with renewed energy, outscoring Saint Joseph 46–39. The Lancers dominated second-chance opportunities, with 20 points and 30 points in the paint, showcasing grit and hustle on both ends.

The Lancers showcased plenty of offensive firepower in their debut, highlighted by junior Dajon Burton (Brockton, MA) who poured in a team-high 19 points, including a pair of three-pointers, one of which to get the action started, and five free throws. Sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA) was a force in the paint, tallying 16 points and eight rebounds, while senior Ayme Daguilh (West Boylston, MA) added 12 points on efficient shooting from beyond the arc.

Junior Daniel Wondie (Seattle, WA) made an instant impact off the bench with nine points, all from deep, helping fuel a strong first-half stretch where the Lancers connected on five threes to keep pace with the Blue Jays. Sophomore Ryan Sablon (Stoughton, MA) chipped in eight points in just 13 minutes of play, while senior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA) provided a spark inside with six points and six rebounds.

What's Next:

The Lancers will now take on the loser of the Brooklyn College vs. UMass-Dartmouth meeting at 7pm, tomorrow at either 12pm.