Springfield, Mass. – December 5, 2023 – The Springfield College women's basketball team earned a 78-57 non-conference win over Worcester State University on Tuesday evening inside Blake Arena. The Pride extended their winning streak to six and are now 7-1 on the season.
Junior Angela Czeremcha (West Springfield, Mass.) produced her fourth consecutive double double for Springfield as she tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds on a 7-for-14 shooting effort from the floor in addition to her four steals, two assists and two blocks. Sophomore Amanda Leary (Westbury, N.Y.) poured in a career-high 18 points, while junior Lindsey Laughlan (Ellington, Conn.) notched ten points, two assists and four boards for the Pride. First-year Natalie Lucas (Madison, Conn.) had a strong effort for the Pride in 13 minutes off the bench as she registered a career-high eight points on the night.
Springfield, which never relinquished its lead tonight, raced out to an 11-2 lead over the opening five minutes of the first quarter as Czeremcha capped the run on a fast break layup off a steal by Vinton. Worcester State climbed back within two points with 90 seconds remaining in the first following a three point bucket by Katie Hurynowicz, but a basket from behind the arc and a fast break layup from Leary, however, pushed Springfield's lead back to ten at 21-11 through one.
A 14-3 run that stretched the opening 4:34 of the second stanza extended the Pride's advantage to its largest of the half at 19 points with the score at 35-16. The run featured five points from Czeremcha, two from Vinton, Laughlan and first-year Claire Finney (Haverhill, Mass.) as well as a three pointer from sophomore Stefany Padula (Franklin, Mass.). Springfield maintained its margin and took a 14 lead into the halftime break.
Three consecutive layups from Leary, Czeremcha and Laughlan to open the third pushed Springfield's lead to 20 at 49-29 and eventually built its largest lead of the game of 22 points at 66-44 following a three point play from Lucas early in the fourth. Laughlan and Leary led Springfield with eight points apiece in the second half en route to the 78-57 final.
Springfield shot at a 50.0-percent clip from the floor on 31 made baskets and went 11-for-18 from the free throw line. The Pride turned 28 Worcester State turnovers into 34 points, scored 42 of its 78 points in the paint and saw 26 points scored off the bench.
Springfield will travel to Gordon College for a non-conference matchup on Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 pm.
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