Lancers End Season at Mary Washington in NCAA First Round
Worcester, MA- For the third time in four years the Worcester State Men’s basketball (15-12, 11-3) appeared in the NCAA tournament and again headed south for their matchup. This year the Blue and Gold traveled to Fredericksburg, VA to take on the pod hosts Mary Washington (24-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles entered the game winning their last six games including claiming the Coast-to-Coast Conference Championship over Christopher Newport last Saturday.
Worcester, MA- For the third time in four years the Worcester State Men's basketball (15-12, 11-3) appeared in the NCAA tournament and again headed south for their matchup. This year the Blue and Gold traveled to Fredericksburg, VA to take on the pod hosts Mary Washington (24-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles entered the game winning their last six games including claiming the Coast-to-Coast Conference Championship over Christopher Newport last Saturday.
Final
Worcester State: 55
Mary Washington: 86
How it Happened:
It would be an exciting start for Lancers in Fredericksburg, VA as they took on the Eagles in the N first round. The Eagles would manage to take flight early jumping out to an early 11-0 run but Worcester stayed persistent and senior Johnny Annan (Worcester, MA), the MASCAC Defensive player of the Year, would open up the scoring off the crisp pass from sophomore Jaydon Buckle (Windsor Locks, CT). The Lancers would keep up the attack and pressure on Mary Washington, refusing to concede any momentum as junior Dajon Burton (Brockton, MA) would add an additional basket. Senior Ayme Daguilh (West Boylston, MA) would nail two from the line before assisting sophomore Joe Okla (Worcester, MA), the MASCAC Rookie of the Year, for a bucket of his own. Without continued determination, Okla would find the double digit score for Worcester as they continued to work the court. While Mary Washington was on an offensive groove, the Lancers worked to match each of their attacks as they closed the half at an 18-44.
The second half would see improvement in the Lancer attack as they shot 50% from the field and put added pressure on the Eagles. Annan, Okla, Daguilh and senior captain Shawn Hebert (Ayer, MA) added further offensive pressure to a late surge from the Lancers. While the Lancers were determined and never backed down, the offensive surges from the Eagles proved to be too much for Worcester as they fell to Mary Washington 86-55. Annan would lead Worcester with 21 points while Okla recorded five rebounds on the night.
Worcester State wraps up their season at 15-3 and their third NCAA First Round appearance in four years.