The Worcester State University Women’s basketball team hosted the 14th annual Math Madness game versus the Trinity College Bantams, who have been receiving national ranking votes all season, on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Worcester State welcomed over 600 students from Tatnuck Magnet, Chandler Magnet and May Street School to Brissette Court for a competitive game of basketball and math. The Lancers kept it close for a majority of the game before the Bantams were able to come away with the 70-47 victory.
The Lancers kept the game close in the first quarter against power house Trinity in front of a jam-packed and excited crowd. Senior forward Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA) fresh off a career-high 27 points last game opened up the scoring, making both free throws after being fouled.
Worcester started down 11-2 early in the contest, but a Coach Karen Tessmer timeout settled the game flow. The break in play proved to work with Hurynowicz burying a three with 4:10 remaining to cut the deficit to 11-5. Hurynowicz picked up two quick fouls early in the quarter, finding herself on the bench to avoid future trouble. First-year center Alana Smith (Chicopee, MA) hauled in an offensive rebound, freeing her for an open layup chipping away at the deficit. Sophomore guard Siarra Francis (Marlborough, MA) scored her first points of the afternoon, draining a three from downtown to cut the lead to a one point game 11-10.
Junior Abby St. Martin (Putnam, Conn.) found success from three-point territory, hitting two three’s in the quarter. With 4:40 remaining in the second quarter, St. Martin made a defensive impact deflecting a Trinity pass to senior guard Nyah Thomas (Attleboro, MA) leading to a fast-break down the court driving to the basket making a layup while being fouled. Thomas made the free throw to complete the three-point play cutting the lead to six.
Later in the quarter, Hurynowicz displayed determination and hustle with the Lancers down 12 jumping on a loose ball in the defensive zone displaying the captain’s heart and hustle. The senior finished the first half with nine points and four rebounds. St. Martin ended the half with seven points, shooting 2-2 from three-point range.
Trinity’s senior center Reilly Campbell (Wallingford, Conn.) led all first-half scorers with 17 points, shooting 8-12 from the field with five rebounds.
During a double length halftime, students from the three participating schools were welcomed to the court to take part in a number of math challenges that focused around not only basic measurements of basketball courts, but the currency year statistics of Worcester State players. The students were assisted by an array of Worcester State staff, alumni, and students as they worked to answer a packet of math related questions in hopes of not only coming away with a prize, but to also foster a love and respect for mathematics.
The Lancers utilized the high intensity of the halftime fun to work into the Bantams lead. Near the seven minute mark down 42-27 in the third quarter, the Lancers had back-to-back steals from Hurynowicz and Francis. The second steal led to some impactful offense with four-time MASCAC Rookie of the Week guard Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) netting a three.
Achievers
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