Lancers Push Owls to Limit in MASCAC Quarterfinal Loss

Worcester, MA- With nearly a week off since their last game, the Worcester State Women's Basketball team (9-15, 3-7) is well rested and energized to return to competition as they head to the #4 seeded Westfield State for the first round of the MASCAC Women's Basketball Tournament. Worcester State was last in action last Wednesday where they claimed the win over Framingham State, and hoped to carry that winning energy into their third meeting with Westfield State on the season.

Final

Worcester State: 75

Westfield State: 89

How it Happened:

In the early quarter action of this meeting, the Lancers went basket for basket with the Owls, kicking things off with a jumper from sophomore Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA). For the opening quarter neither team could generate much breathing room until Worcester jumped to a 21-16 lead off a sophomore Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA) layup from fellow sophomore Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA). Before the first quarter would come to a close, Westfield would tie the game back up at 23, with a senior Katie Hurynowicz (Tynsgboro, MA) layup sending the lancers into the quarter break up 25-23. The second quarter would follow more of the same of the first with each team going on small runs but never gaining much distance from each other. Westfield would grab a slight lead before the close of the half to carry a 52-44 lead into the break.

With just three minutes left in the third quarter, the Lancers slowly had managed to chip away into the slight Owls lead, closing the game down to just five points. Worcester would continue to chip away and close the gap to three with under a minute in the third quarter with a 62-65 score into the final 10 minutes. Just over two minutes in the fourth, Worcester State would reclaim the lead when Haynes sank a perfect jumper in a quick transition down the court. Westfield would answer right back with a layup to take the single point lead and with this final momentum shift, the Owls finally managed to find their offensive rhythm. Worcester State would rally their defense and steady the Westfield attack but the small surge would be enough to see Westfield to the finish as they closed out the game with clutch free throws to claim the 89-75 win. 

Haynes would lead the night with 20 points while Hurynowicz would wrap up her final game with a double double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.