Worcester Falls in Final Minutes to Westfield State

Worcester, MA- After a heartbreaking double overtime defeat to MCLA on Saturday the Worcester State Men's Basketball team (8-11, 6-2) set their course on revenge in a Lancer Game White Out Battle with the Westfield State Owls.

Final

Worcester State: 72

Westfield State: 84

How it Happened:

The Lancers opened up a crucial late season game against the Owls as the #1 seed was on the line. The Lancers started off trailing 4-0 but immediately bounced back with three straight layups by senior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA) and sophomore Rayan Sablon (Stoughton, MA). Junior Daniel Wondie (Seattle, WA) propelled the Lancers into the lead as he hit a three to get the crowd buzzing. The Owls responded by battling back to take a 16-13 lead, but the persistent Lancer offense stayed in the game. Down 31-21, the Lancers stormed right back to tie it, capped off by a three pointer by junior Ethan Daleba (Dorchester, MA). The Lancers were able to ride this momentum into halftime, as they would  settle with a 39-39 tie.

The second half wouldn't bode well for the persistent Lancer offense. The Owls would open the scoring with a three pointer and would ride that momentum for the rest of the half. The Lancers were able to respond several times thanks to the efforts of Annan and Sablon, then grabbing the lead on a layup by sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA), but the Owls offense continued to respond and widened their lead. A rocking Lancer crowd continued to rally behind their team but the Owls outplayed Worcester State in the second half, continuing to grow their lead and then finishing up an 84-72 victory, clinching the top seed in the conference. 

What's Next:

The Lancers (8-12, 6-3) are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Fitchburg State, tip off is set for 2pm.