Worcester State Women’s Basketball takes on #15 Amherst in Return of Math Madness

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Basketball team hosted their 13^th annual Math Madness game versus #15 Amherst College on Monday afternoon. Worcester State welcomed over 400 students to Brissette Court for an afternoon of exciting basketball and math competition. The Lancers stuck close to Amherst all game, but a last-minute push saw Mammoths pull away to a 72-53 victory.

The game was high intensity from tip off, with the first points taking nearly a minute into the action, for both teams. As the quarter progressed, the Mammoths and the Lancers traded baskets back and forth until Amherst's AnLing Vera helped lead a spurt of action that saw Amherst take an 11-point lead early, ultimately closing out the quarter 24-12. The Mammoths managed to extend the lead to 14 early in the second quarter where solid defense by the Lancers managed to keep the difference for most of the quarter as an excited crowd cheered for each Lancer rebound and steal. Entering the half, the Lancers went on a run of unanswered baskets to head into the locker room down just 12 points.

During the extended halftime, the local students were welcomed onto the court to participate on a number of math challenges based around the statistics of Worcester State players and court dimensions. Worcester State staff, alumni and students assisted as kids measured, counted, and worked on an array of diagrams to help foster the passion and fun of mathematics.

With the high energy from the halftime activities buzzing around the arena, the Lancers made quick work of cutting down the Mammoths lead, continuing their scoring surge to ultimately cut the lead down to five points off a jump shot from senior Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, MA), who made her first home court appearance of the season, off a quick pass from junior Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA). The Lancers worked as one defensive unit forcing turnovers and steals, never allowing the Mammoths to get far out of sight for the remainder of the third quarter. Halfway through the final quarter saw the Lancers standing strong and keeping the Amherst lead to just seven points after a quick put back by sophomore Julia Hamel (Hubbardston, MA). Foul trouble and some cold shooting late in the fourth quarter saw Amherst pull away in the final three minutes of the game to close out the victory for the Mammoths.

Elizabeth Gallella finished the game with 15 points, going 2-for-2 on her free attempts, while Thomas, graduate Sarah Blomgren (Luneburg, MA) and Hamel each recorded seven rebounds in the afternoon.

The Lancers are back in action on Wednesday night when they return to MASCAC action, taking on Bridgewater State at 7:30pm.