Worcester Hold Off Late Flight by Falcons for the Win

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Men's Basketball team (8-12, 6-3) came into this afternoon meeting with Fitchburg State with an attempt to stop an extension of a two game losing streak and re-solidify control of their post season destiny.

Final

Worcester State: 73

Fitchburg State: 68

How it Happened:

The Lancers came out shooting as soon as the clock started with a made dunk by sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA) right off the tip off. Worcester State controlled the pace throughout the first half with their largest advantage at 16 points ahead of the Falcons with five minutes left in the first, before heading into halftime with the Lancers up 39-28. It was a back and forth game to start off the action with the Lancers claiming the first lead but unable to pull away for any significant distance. A run midway through the half led by the charge of senior Ayme Daguilh (West Boylston, MA) would help provide the Lancers their double digit lead that managed to hold on until the final horn. Okla led Worcester offensively with 10 points in the opening half, and sophomore Jaydon Buckle (Windsor Locks, CT) contributed with eight. On the other side, Kobe Witherow-Bass kept the Falcons in it with eight points

The second half saw the action tighten up as Worcester's lead shrunk to just three with six minutes to go in regulation. With the score settled at 44-41, each team had a renewed purpose as the Falcons continued to chip away at Worcester's lead until the Falcon's Joshua Jean Charles made a layup to tie the game 58-58 for the first time with five minutes left. The Falcons would claim a lead with just under four to go and create a push to control the lead when the final horn sounded. The offensive rebounding and second chance points were crucial along with shots from the line to secure the victory. Okla and Rayan Sablon would seal the victory for Worcester making their free throws to protect the lead and claim the 73-68 victory.

Okla would again end the game with a double double as he recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds in the outting. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (9-12, 7-3) are back on their home court next Wednesday as they host Framingham State in an anticipated high intensity matchup at 7:30pm.