Worcester, MA- On Sunday evening, the Worcester State Women's Basketball team travelled to Hilo, Hawaii to take on the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) from Minnesota. Worcester State battled to grab their first win in the pacific but could not find an end to their losing streak as they were defeated by the Bennies 64-44.
Entering the game, Worcester State was determined to stay close to CSB. In Women's College Basketball, it is not uncommon for a coach to tell their ladies to win the scoring margin in four five-minute intrigues in a twenty-minute half. For the first five minutes of the game, the Lancers were outscored 13-7. Unfortunately for Worcester State, the Bennies closed the first quarter by playing tough defense and going on a quick 6-2 scoring run to lead 19-9 after one quarter. The score remained 19-9 as the second quarter began. CSB showed the team why they team started the season off 6-1 by playing lockdown defense that fueled their offensive 11-0 output in the first four minutes of the second quarter. This helped provide CSB a 35-16 lead heading into the locker room.
Heading into the second half, the game remained 35-16 in favor of CSB. Worcester State was able to hold down the CSB offense in the first 4 minutes of the second half but could not translate that to offense buskers. CSB was able to push their lead back up to twenty with a three-point field goal from the wing to make it 38-18. As both teams were heading into their timeout huddles with under 3 minutes to play, the Lancers were staring at a 22-point deficit at 44-22. At the end of the third quarter, CSB had a 48-22. Other than Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, Mass.) three to cut the CSB lead to 18, it was all the Bennies the rest of the way as they came away with a 64-44 victory.
Worcester State (4-7) is back in action on Dec. 19 when the ladies continue their holiday tournament in Hawaii against Lake Forest with a tip-off at 6:30. Saint Benedict (7-1) will be back on the court on Dec.19 when they compete against DePauw University with tip-off at 8:30.