Worcester State Downs Men’s Basketball 67-58

Framingham, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's basketball team received 16 points from freshman center Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) as the Lancers defeated the Framingham State University Rams 67-58 this afternoon in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season finale for both squads at the Athletic & Recreation Center.   

With the victory, the Lancers improve to 11-13 on the season and 8-4 in the MASCAC, while the Rams are now 8-17 overall and 2-10 in the conference. Both teams await the pairings for next week's MASCAC Men's Basketball Championship which will be announced later this evening.

Brooks led a trio of Lancers in double figures with his 16 points on 8-of-14 from the field to go along with five blocks.  Senior forward Dane Jobst (Athol, Mass.) finished with a double double for the Lancers of 13 points and a game-high 18 boards, while freshman Noris Cuevas-Nova (Amherst, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points and seven boards.

The Rams were led by a game and career-high 26 points from freshman guard Charles Collins (Lynn, Mass.). Collins connected on 10-of-16 from the floor and filled the stat sheet with three rebounds, four assists, and four steals.  Junior forwards George Jordan (Worcester, Mass.) and Patrick Cuff (Medway, Mass.) chipped in with seven points and two blocks apiece.

After the first half saw seven ties and six lead changes, the Lancers took control of the game in the second half opening up a double digit lead.  The Lancers held off a late charge by the Rams in the closing minutes to secure the victory.

The Lancers outscored the Rams 42-24 in the paint and held an 18-13 edge in bench points. The Rams held the edge in points off turnovers as they converted 26 Lancer miscues into 24 points, while the Lancers turned the 10 Ram turnovers into just 11 points.