Dudley, MA- The Nichols women’s basketball team battled Worcester State to a 41-41 tie with 9:55 remaining in the championship game of the 2006 Worcester City Tournament but the Lancers used their strong presence in the post to pull away from the Bison down the stretch , capturing a 61-51 victory. Senior Rachael Odugbela (Providence, RI) was named the Tournament’s MVP. WPI secured a third place finish in the tourney with a 50-45 win over Clark in the consolation match. 

Nichols took its largest lead of the game, 18-9, with 10:40 left in the first half but junior Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA) scored six of her 12 total points during a 20-7 drive as Worcester State closed out the half with a 29-25 lead.

In the second half Worcester State clung to a narrow lead, grabbing a lead of no more than six, within the first ten minutes of the half. Sophomore MaryLynn Skarzenski (Woodbridge, NJ) tied things up at 41 for the Bison with a lay-up from freshman Lyndsey Bennett (North Brookfield, MA).

Worcester State held Nichols at bay however, scoring on three straight lay-ups in the next two minutes to take a 51-41 lead. With under five minutes remaining, the Bison stormed back with a pair of three’s by Bennett and Skarzenski, which knocked the lead down to six, 53-47. Freshman Margaret Lilly (Ashfield, MA) and junior Katie Fondleheit (Dayville, CT) followed with two key baskets to make it a two point contest with 3:25 remaining.

The Bison went on to miss their next shots from the field while Worcester State hit six free throws to come away with the win.

Skarzenski along with senior Stacey Hejwosz (Dudley, MA) earned All-Tournament Team honors for Nichols. Skarzenski finished with ten points, six rebounds and five assists while Hejwosz posted a team-high 13 points and eight rebounds.

Odugbela scored six points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Lancers. DelleChiaie also received All-Tournament Team honors alongside Odugbela, as she led Worcester State with 12 points and three steals in today’s win.

WPI’s Meghan Pajonas (Bristol, CT) posted 13 points in the win over Clark to secure a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Clark’s Sarah Roderiguez (Oakland, ME) earned All-Tournament Team honors with a game-high 16 points against the Engineers.

 2006 Worcester City Tournament Team Results

1: Worcester State College

2: Nichols College

3: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

4: Clark University

 

MVP

MVP-Senior Rachel Odugbela (Providence, RI)-Worcester State College

 

All-Tournament Team

Junior Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA)-Worcester State College

Sophomore MaryLynn Skarzenski (Woodbridge, NJ)-Nichols College

Senior Stacey Hjecwosz (Dudley, MA)-Nichols College

Senior Meghan Pajonas (Bristol, CT)-WPI

Sophomore Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, ME)-Clark University