Worcester, MA- Wednesday evening, the Worcester State Women's Basketball team returned to action taking on Salem State in their first MASCAC game of the season. After a back and forth possession battle, the Lancers were defeated by the Vikings 76-72.
The Lancers entered the game looking to start their MASCAC season off with a dominant winning performance. After allowing an opening 3-point shot, junior Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, Mass.) crashed the offensive glass to lay the ball in for two to open up the scoring for the Lancers. Senior Erin Gallella's (Tewksbury, Mass.) defensive skill set was on full display as she helped cut Salem State's lead to a single point at 11-10 halfway through the first quarter. Though Salem State was able to outscore Worcester State by 5 points in the remaining 5 minutes of the first quarter, graduate student Sarah Bloomberg (Lunenburg, Mass.) was able to hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to cut the Vikings lead to 25-19 to close out the quarter..
The momentum continued for the Lancers to start the second quarter as they cut the Vikings lead to two, with the score sitting at 25-23. Worcester State was able to knot the score up at 29 a piece with 5:30 remaining in the quarter. Unfortunately for the Lancers, they could not push ahead for the lead into halftime as Salem State led 39-35 heading into the break.
As the second half began, the teams continued to trade baskets as Salem State, forcing Salem State to only hold a two-possession lead halfway through the third quarter. Abuek Tang made a big difference on the offensive and defensive ends for Salem State as she helped grow her team's lead to 60-51 heading into the final quarter of play.
Early in the fourth quarter, Salem State was able to extend its lead to 62-51. Worcester was not willing to sit back silent with the final quarter surge as went on to go on an 11-1 run to cut the Vikings lead to 1 at 63-62 with 5:32 remaining. Throughout the final few minutes, the teams exchanged lead changes multiple times with the game outcome hanging in the balance. Salem State was able to hit clutch free throws in the final stretch and clamp down on the Worcester State offense to come away with a 76-72 victory.
Worcester State (4-9, 0-1) is back in action Jan. 9 when they return home to play nationally ranked Amherst College with tip off at 12:00 in the annual Math Madness Game. Salem State (6-8, 1-0) will be back on the court January 7 when they go on the road to compete against Bridgewater State with tip-off at 2:00.