Men's Basketball's Offense Ignites Against Worcester State

WORCESTER, Mass. – Freshman Russell Dolabany (Westwood, Mass.) posted a career-high 15 points off the bench while the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team downed the Lancers of Worcester State by a 84-73 score in non-conference action Friday afternoon.

RECORDS:

• Wentworth: 3-4 (1-2 CCC)
• Worcester State: 8-5

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

LEADING SCORERS:   Jack Connell, 24; Russell Dolabany, 15; Sam Swift, 13
LEADING REBOUNDERS:  Jack Schaake, 11; Nathaniel Smith, 8; Tyler Stewart, 7
ASSIST LEADERS:   Schaake, Connell, Swift, 4

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Wentworth kicked off the day on a 6-2 run with two three-pointers coming from sophomore Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.). Following the three baskets, the two teams traded scores until a three-pointer from graduate student Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, N.C.) brought the Lancers within one at 8-7. The Leopards responded with a 7-2 run that was propelled by a three-pointer from senior Sam Swift (Arlington, Mass.) to raise the score to 15-9.
• Worcester State answered the deficit by going on an 11-4 run following Swift's score. Sophomore Aaron Nkrumah (Worcester, Mass.) helped by nailing a three-pointer in the run that put the Lancers ahead 20-19 just over halfway through the first half.
• Wentworth clicked on both sides of the ball, locking in for an 18-0 run shortly thereafter. Freshman Russell Dolabany (Westwood, Mass.) notched two three-pointers and senior Conor Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) scored one to help put the Black & Gold ahead 37-20. The two teams traded scores prior to the conclusion of the first half, resulting in a 43-26 score at halftime.
• The Lancers opened the second half on a 17-3 run ignited by a three-pointer from senior Tayjaun McKenzie (Boston, Mass.), cutting their deficit to 46-43. The two squads traded baskets until McKenzie nailed another three to put the hosts ahead 51-50. Again, the two teams traded points to work up to a 58-58 score, with six of the Leopards' eight points coming from Swift.
• Wentworth kept the points coming, going on a 14-2 run to bring the score to 72-64. Following two free throws from Swift, Hendrix nailed a three to bring the score to 74-65. After Nkrumah made a layup, the Lancers surrendered a slew of free throws to bring the score to 81-67. The Lancers ended the game on a 6-3 run, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, giving Wentworth an 84-73 win.
• Connell led all scorers with 24 points, going 8-16 from the floor and 5-11 from three. The Black & Gold also had 30 points from the bench, led by Dolabany's career-high 15.

SERIES NOTES:

• Today marked the third time the two teams have met. Wentworth earned their first win of the series with today's victory.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth heads to the Sunshine State next week to take part in the Cruizin' Classic held at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Leopards tip off against Messiah on Tuesday, December 20, at 4:00 p.m.

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