Basketball Falls to Worcester State, 71-73
WORCESTER, Mass. (December 9, 2006) - The Worcester State College women's basketball team overcame a six point halftime deficit to defeat the visiting Lyons of Mount Holyoke College, 73-71, in Lancer Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. The win improves Worcester State to 6-2 on the year and the Lyons also reset at 6-2.
The Lancers jumped out to a 14-7 lead at the 14:29 mark of the first half and led, 16-11, with less than 13 minutes to go in the half. The Lancers were scoreless over the next seven and a half minutes, allowing MHC to go on a 13-0 run and take an 8 point lead, before a lay-up by junior Jamara Exilus (Malden, Mass.) broke the scoring drought. A three pointer by senior guard Joeanna Silvey (Boston, Mass.) closed out the scoring in the first half to give Mount Holyoke a 28-22 lead at the break.
Silvey led all scorers in the first frame with 15 points. Worcester State's Rachael Odugbela (Providence, R.I.) paced the Lancers with 12 points. As a team, Worcester State struggled from from the floor, shooting just 30% in the half. Mount Holyoke was a little better at 39.3%, but the Lyons controlled the boards out-rebounding Worcester State 24-17.
First-year forward Jessica Olson (Gilbert, Ariz.) opened the second half scoring six of the Lyons' first eight points to help the visitors open up a 12 point advantage, 36-24. Over the next four minutes Worcester State was able to cut the deficit to a single point. The Lancers tied the game at 46 a piece with just over 10 minutes to play on a free throw shot by senior Tracey Ducasse (Somerville, Mass.). The Lancers took the lead on the second free throw and never trailed again. The teams traded baskets until the 3:26 mark, with the game tied at 61-61, Odugbela hit a free throw to untie the game for the final time. Worcester State would lead by 8 with under a minute to go Silvey and senior Angela Astuccio (Foxboro, Mass.) combined for six points to set the final score at, 73-71.
Odugbela finished with a team-high 23 points followed by junior Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, Mass.) who totaled 17 points (15 in the 2nd half). Silvey was sensational for Mount Holyoke with 27 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Olson followed with 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Mount Holyoke will travel to Florida over winter break to play Western Connecticut at the Land of Magic Classic on December 28th.