Worcester State Falls To Tufts, 61-45

Worcester, MA – The Worcester State College women’s basketball team fell to the visiting Jumbos of Tufts University Thursday night in non-conference action by the final score of, 61-45, in Lancer Gymnasium.  The loss drops the Lancers to 8-7 on the year, while Tufts improves to 10-5.

The Lancers trailed by 8 points at the break as Tufts shot a blistering 63.2% from the field in the half.  The Jumbos shot 12 for 19 from the field and got scoring efforts from 7 players with senior guards Valerie Krah (Mountain Lakes, NJ) and Taryn Miller-Stevens (Avon, CT) leading the way with 7 points each.  Forward Laura Jasiniski (Leverett, MA) chipped in with 5 points in the first stanza.  Worcester State was paced by senior Rachael Odugbela (Providence, RI) who posted 10 points including a pair of three point shots.  Junior Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA) added 6 points to help keep the Lancers close.

In the second half, Worcester State got the deficit to 6 points at, 41-35, with 12:34 remaining but weren’t able to get any closer as they only scored 20 points in the half shooting just 25.8% from the field.  Tufts outscored the hosts 20-10 over that final 12 minutes of action.

DelleChiaie finished with a team high 15 points for Worcester State followed by Odugbela who totaled 12 points and had 4 assists.  Tufts finished with three players in double figures with Krah posting a game-high 16 points followed by Miller-Stevens with 12 points, 4 assists and junior Jenna Gomez (Norfolk, MA) who scored 10 and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Worcester State will return to action on Saturday when they return to MASCAC play hosting the Trailblazers of MCLA.  Tufts will host Bates on Saturday in NESCAC action.

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