Pride Falls Short to Worcester State

WESTON, Mass. – Regis College could not maintain its offensive momentum from the first quarter as Worcester State University came from behind to defeat the Pride 65-61, Saturday afternoon in a non-conference women's basketball game at Chandler Gymnasium.

Both teams went point for point to finish with 11 points apiece at the end of the first quarter.

The Lancers opened the second quarter with a 9-1 scoring run to lead 24-13. Regis responded with a layup from Courtney Doherty (Willimantic, Conn.) and free throws from Madi Zancan (Cumberland, R.I.) to close the deficit. The Pride finished the first half with a jumper from Fatma Fatah (Bedford, N.H.), a three-pointer by Bella George (Lynnfield, Mass.), and a layup from Doherty just before the buzzer to trail by four, at 28-24.

Jordyn Striggles (Raynham, Mass.) earned the first three points of the third quarter for the Pride followed by a layup from Doherty to take the lead at 29-28. Worcester State responded with a layup and two free throws after a foul to take the lead for the remainder of the contest. The Pride extended offensive output making two free throws to fall behind with one point, however the Lancers would go on a 5-4 scoring run to lead 43-40 at the end of the third quarter.

Worcester State opened the final quarter with three layups and two jump shots to extend their lead by 11 points. The Lancers continued to apply pressure and control play in the final quarter to finish with a final of 65-61.

Doherty led the Pride with 18 points, two steals and six rebounds, while Striggles contributed 13 points and three rebounds. Zancan finished with 12 points off the bench, while Jillian Perry (Willimantic, Conn.) shot 2-for-5 from the three-point line, collecting nine points with three steals. Overall, Regis shot 18-for-24, at 75 percent from the free throw line.

Regis (0-7) is scheduled to travel to Emerson College on Saturday, Dec. 14, with a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.