WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Worcester State University men's basketball team suffered a 70-51 defeat Friday evening to Williams College in the opening round of the Williams College Tip-Off Tournament.
Williams improves to 1-0 on the season with the win, while the Lancers drop to 1-2.
After taking a four point lead into the break, the Ephs outscored the Lancers 42-27 in the second period, led by Jovan Jones' 11 points on 5-7 shooting.
An 18-4 Williams run, led by six points from Matt Karpowicz, sent the Ephs into the break up 28-24.
Worcester State senior Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) led all scorers at the half with an efficient 10 points on 4-5 shooting. Cal Howes (Maynard, Mass.) was close behind his teammate with seven points, while also adding an impressive 12 rebounds. For the Ephs, Henry Feinburg contributed eight points which Karpowicz added six.
Williams continued their quick pace to begin the second half, as a Jones and-one extended their lead to double digits 2:36 into the half. Sophomore Zion Hendrix (Charlotte, N.C.) cashed in from deep with 10:32 to go, halting a Williams streak with the first field goal for the Lancers in over five minutes. Dion then sunk a three of his own to break the 1,000 point mark for his collegiate career, just three games into his senior season, cutting the Williams lead to 11. Dion scored the first 594 points of his career playing for Nichols College before transferring to Worcester State prior to his junior season.
The Ephs continued their increased offensive intensity inside for the duration of the contest, scoring 42 points in the paint to the Lancers' six, which ultimately proved enough to take home the win. Still, the Lancers never let the Ephs build a commanding lead, and maintained strong play on both sides of the ball throughout the duration of the matchup.
Dion led all players with 18 points, including four baskets from deep. Howes had a double-double for the Lancers, with 13 points and 20 rebounds. The Lancers shot 11-32 (34.4 percent) from the field.
Karpowicz and Jones led the Ephs with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Jones tacked on five steals in the win.
The Lancers will take Colby-Sawyer College in the consolation game of the Tip-Off Tournament Saturday at 2 p.m. The Ephs will face off against SUNY-Poly Saturday at 4 p.m.
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Release courtesy of Williams College Athletics Communications.