Men’s Basketball Closes Season with 67-52 Setback to Worcester State

- Scores:  Worcester State 67, Framingham State 52 

- Records:  Framingham State (5-20, 2-10 MASCAC), Worcester State (20-5, 12-0 MASCAC)  

- Location:  Logan Gymnasium - Salem, Mass. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Worcester State jumped out to an 11-5 lead after a layup from Ryan Rubenskas with 13:50 on the clock. 

• The Rams chipped away at the lead and pulled within one on a pair of occasions before tying the game 20-20 on a Marshall Martin three with just over five minutes remaining. 

• The two teams traded points before a pair of Juran Ligonde free throws gave the Rams a 31-28 lead at the half. 

• The Lancers started the second half with a 17-2 run capped by a Sam Dion three and a pair of Zion Hendrix free throws to take a 45-33 lead with just over 12 minutes to play. 

• The Lancers extended the lead to 53-36 but a pair of threes from Ivan Nyantenji closed the gap to 53-42 with just under eight to play. The Lancers responded with five straight points and maintained the advantage throughout the rest of the second half. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

• The Rams saw three players score double figures led by 13 points from Nyantenji off the bench. Nyantenji connected on 4-of-7 from behind the arc in the game and added two rebounds and a steal. 

• Martin finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds, while Ligonde finished the game with 10 points and six rebounds. 

• JD Okafor chipped in with seven points and a team-best 13 rebounds for the Rams. 

• The Lancers were led by 16 points and 13 rebounds from Erik Bjorn, while Rubenskas finished the game with 13 points and nine rebounds. 

• Hendrix finished the game with 10 points for the Lancers, while Dion finished with nine and four assists. 

• Prior to the game, the Rams honored their three seniors – Ligonde, Martin and Josh Dumay – as part of Senior Day.