WORCESTER -- Garrett Stephenson (Townsend, MA) posted his second double-double of the season and was joined in double figures in scoring by Reid Walker (Tampa, FL) and Colin McNamara (Arlington, MA) as nationally-ranked WPI went on the road and defeated Worcester State 68-47 Tuesday evening in non-conference action at John P. Brissette Court.
The Engineers, ranked 25th in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 improve to 6-1 on the season while the Lancers drop to 2-5 overall
The first half was relatively tight, with neither team holding a decided advantage in the opening 20 minutes. Stephenson led all scorers with 10 points in the half, while Worcester State got seven points and seven boards from guard Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, MA). The Engineers carried a 33-27 lead into the locker room.
Worcester State's offense went ice cold in the second half, and the Engineers pulled away. A three-pointer from Cal Howes (Maynard, MA) with 17:52 remaining cut the deficit to 37-30 early in the half, but the bucket would be the only three-pointer hit by the Lancers in the half. The hosts shot 1-of-13 from distance in the second half, and 6-of-30 in the game.
WPI also struggled from deep in the half, shooting 1-of-11 from three, but scored 28 of their 35 second half points in the paint to seal the victory.
Stephenson's 18 points was enough to lead all scorers, while his 11 boards gave him his fifth career double-double. The visitors also received 15 points from Walker and a dozen from McNamara. Jake Wisniewski (West Brookfield, MA) aided a stong WPI effort on the glass with 10 rebounds and Kahleb Downing (Middletown, CT) joined McNamara with a team-high high three assists
Cardoso, Howes, and senior Erik Bjorn (Holden, MA) all scored 11 points to lead the Lancers. Cardoso grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double.
WPI is back on the court on Saturday, hosting 5-2 Fitchburg State at 2pm. Worcester State is off until Monday when it heads to New York City to face Baruch at 6pm.
Release Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information