WORCESTER, Mass. - The Clark women's basketball team (1-0) opened their 2023-24 campaign with a convincing 72-64 victory against Worcester State (0-2) on Friday night from Brissette Court. 

How it Happened

• Clark fell behind 11-6 early in the contest despite buckets from seniors Alaina Schatzabel and Jacqueline Faulise as well as sophomore Ashley Leighton, before Faulise added four unanswered points as the Cougars trailed 11-10 with 4:01 remaining in the first
• Down five, the scarlet and white ended the quarter on an 8-3 run as junior Kumi Tamura buried a three and Faulise and Leighton each added buckets as Clark led 18-16 after one quarter of play
• The Lancers regained the lead early in the second quarter before first-year Olivia Shipley tied the game at 28-28 with a made layup and Faulise added six more points during that stretch 
• Worcester State went on a 10-0 run to go up 10 and before the half Shipley and first-year Bella Galatt each scored as the Cougars trailed 40-32 at the half
• The Cougars opened the third quarter with six unanswered points as first-years Kailey Rios and Emma Drefs and Schatzabel each made baskets as Clark trailed 40-38 with 7:33 remaining in the third.
• Down five in the middle of the third, Tamura connected on a triple to bring Clark within two and a Rios three-pointer with 1:22 to go in the third made it a 52-49 game, but the Lancers took a 56-49 lead into the fourth
• The scarlet and white opened the fourth quarter on an 13-3 run as first-year Catherine Antwi netted nine points and Faulise and Rios each scored to put Clark up 62-59 with 6:34 to go
• Tamura connected on another triple with 3:14 remaining to push the lead to four and a made free throw extended the edge to five at 66-61
• The Cougars defense swarmed the Lancers and Tamura made a jumper to push the advantage to 68-61 with 1:16 remaining
• After Worcester State pulled to within four, Tamura connected on a triple to go up seven and a Rios free throw propelled Clark to a 72-64 victory as the Cougars held the Lancers to just eight fourth quarter points 

Inside the Stats

• Clark collected 40 rebounds, made 25 shots, dished out 12 assists, and scored 23 points off turnovers 
• Tamura led the squad with 18 points and made five three-pointers
• Faulise added 16 points, with 10 made free throws and grabbed eight rebounds
• Rios and Antwi also recorded 10 points

What's Next

The scarlet and white will return to the court tomorrow night in the championship game of the Worcester City Tournament against WPI beginning at 7:00 p.m.