Worcester State Falls in Fourth to Vikings in MASCAC Quarterfinals

Worcester, MA- In a hotly anticipated MASCAC Quarterfinal meeting between the #5 seeded Worcester State Lancers (10-15, 7-7) and #4 seeded Salem State Vikings (12-13, 8-6), the two teams each looked to advance to the MASCAC semifinals on Friday. In their previous meetings the Vikings had claimed the wins both home and on the road, with the last meeting at Worcester State a tenacious battle that ultimately determined this final seeding.

Final

Worcester State: 61

Salem State: 64

How it Happened:

Worcester would take charge of the early game as junior Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) would open up the action for the Lancers. The two squads would trade baskets before Waldron would record 10 unanswered points in the bcc rat quarter for the 14-4 lead. The Vikings would answer with a final basket from the free throw line for a 14-5 score after the first 10.

Salem would take charge in the second quarter bringing the game back to within five points as junior Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) would help slow the momentum shift of Salem. Senior Hannah Lomonaco (Northbridge, MA) would partner with Waldron and Smith to reclaim a double digit lead. The Vikings again would push into the deficit, settling the score to within five before a final second jumper from junior Aydan Gulliver (Cranston, RI) for the 32-25 Worcester lead.

The third quarter would continue to see Worcester work the boards and find the baskets as Waldron, Gulliver and junior Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA) pushed the lead back to double digits. Worcester would extend their lead to 16 points in the third before Salem State began a final shift in momentum that brought defect to within single digits for the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter saw Salem find their missing stride and catch Worcester in the back foot as they charged into control of the quarter grabbing a six point by the final minute of action. Worcester would not back down and regrouped as Lomonaco and Haynes each nailed shots from behind the arc to bring the game to within two points with just second left. Worcester would look to stifle the Salem possession and counter with a basket of their own, but a late free throw opportunity provided Salem the last shot and basket for the 64-61 victory.

What's Next:

With the loss, Worcester State wraps up their 2025-26 season as Salem advances to the MASCAC semifinals.