Worcester State Avenges Earlier Loss; Beat Nichols 81-76

Worcester, MA – The Worcester State College Lancer men’s basketball team had 5 players reach double digits in scoring as they avenged a season opening 26 point loss to the Bison of Nichols College in the Worcester City Tournament defeating the visitors, 81-76, Thursday evening in Lancer Gymnasium.  The win improves the Lancers to 3-4 on the season, while the Bison fall to 3-4.

The Lancers held a 5 point lead at the break despite 55% shooting from the field by Nichols.  The Bison hit 4 of 6 three pointers in the first frame but the Lancers controlled the boards out-rebounding Nichols, 21-13.  Lancer junior Ryan Frassica (Brockton, MA) led all scorers in the first half with 10 points hitting 3 treys.  Senior Mark Retallic (Oxford, MA) added 6 points and 7 rebounds.  Nichols was led by junior Chris Vallee (Fitchburg, MA) with 7 points.

Worcester State opened the second half with a 9-2 run to give them their largest lead of the night at, 46-34, with 16:24 to play.  With 15:09 to play the Lancers led by 11 before Vallee scored 8 straight points to trim the lead to 3.  The Worcester State lead fluctuated for much of the second half with a 6-0 mini-run by the Bison cutting the lead to just 1 at 64-63.

The Lancers got the lead back up to 10 with a minute to play, 76-66.  Nichols hit a couple of three pointers but the Lancers hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Frassica led the Lances with 16 points followed by Matt Dickens (New Haven, CT) with 13, Retallic with 12 points and 10 rebounds and 11 points from junior Will Spont (Bellingham, MA) and sophomore Justin Sheehan (Carver, MA).

Vallee finished with a game-high 28 points for the Bison.  Freshman Bryan Riley (W. Boylston, MA) chipped in with 10 points for Nichols.

Worcester State will return to action on Tuesday when they host the Amherst College Lord Jeffs who are currently ranked #2 in the nation.  Nichols has completed its first semester schedule.