The Lancers took a 56-49 lead into the break despite a torrid shooing percentage from behind the three-point line for MCLA. In the first half, the Trailblazers hit 10 of 13 three point shots for a shooting percentage of 77%. Not to be outdone, the Lancers shot 59% from the field with most of their points coming inside the paint. Junior Tom Sullivan (Auburn, MA) led the way for the Lancers in the half with 19 points. Sophomore Matt Savage (Worcester, MA) collected 15 points. MCLA had three players in double digits in the first stanza. Sophomore Thad Broughton (Peabody, MA) had 18, including 4-5 from three point land. Junior Chet Columbus (Syracuse, NY) had 14, while guard Robert Mitchell (Brooklyn, NY) had 10. Worcester State also hit 13 of 14 free throws in the first half.
The pace of the game slowed a bit in the second half but still featured outstanding shooting from the outside by MCLA. The Trailblazers hit 7 more from outside while the Lancers continued to pound the ball inside. With 32 seconds remaining in regulation the Lancers held a 91-90 lead and MCLA was at the line with a chance to win the game. They hit the front end but missed the second. MCLA got the offensive rebound but a last second lay-up attempt was missed sending the game to overtime with the score tied at 91-91.
In overtime, Worcester State scored the first 8 points highlighted by 5 points from Sullivan. MCLA cut the lead to 2 after consecutive three pointers by Broughton and Columbus to set the score at 99-97, but that was as close as the Trailblazers would get as the Lancers made their free throws down the stretch.
WSC was led by Sullivan who finished with a game-high 34 points. Savage had 18 points and sophomore Mark Retallic (N. Oxford, MA) added 15 points and 12 boards. MCLA was paced by Broughton with 33 point, Mitchell’s 29 and Columbus’ 24 points. For the game MCLA hit 19-33 of their three point shots for a 57% clip.
The Lancers will next take to the floor on Tuesday when they travel to Bridgewater. MCLA will host Salem State on Monday.
Newspaper Box Score MC-MBB vs Worcester State 2/14/04 4:00 pm at Worcester, MA At Worcester, MA WORCESTER STATE 107, MC-MBB 101 MC-MBB Thad Broughton 12-20 3-3 33; Robert Mitchell 9-21 5-9 29; Chet Columbus 6-13 8-9 24; Glenn Mills 4-15 0-0 9; Brian Phillips 1-4 0-0 3; Donal Cogdell 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 33-76 16-21 101. WORCESTER STATE Tom Sullivan 13-21 8-9 34; Matt Savage 6-16 5-6 18; Marc Retallic 6-10 3-4 15; Eric Rhynhart 5-9 3-4 13; Jason Garrett 6-8 1-2 13; Randy Fitzpatrick 3-4 0-0 8; Jaime Aviles 1-5 4-4 6; Brendan Noonan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 40-74 24-29 107. MC-MBB........................ 49 42 10 - 101 Worcester State............... 56 35 16 - 107 3-point goals-MC-MBB 19-33 (Thad Broughton 6-10; Robert Mitchell 6-10; Chet Columbus 4-6; Glenn Mills 1-3; Donal Cogdell 1-1; Brian Phillips 1-3), Worcester State 3-10 (Randy Fitzpatrick 2-3; Matt Savage 1-5; Jaime Aviles 0-1; Brendan Noonan 0-1). Fouled out--MC-MBB-None, Worcester State-None. Rebounds-MC-MBB 37 (Robert Mitchell 12), Worcester State 50 (Marc Retallic 12). Assists-MC-MBB 20 (Glenn Mills 6), Worcester State 25 (Jason Garrett 8). Total fouls-MC-MBB 21, Worcester State 19.