WORCESTER, MA- Amber Wilson (New York, NY) posted a career/season-high 36 points in today's contest. However, it was not enough as the Anna Maria College AMCATS (4-10) were not able to hold off a late rally by the Worcester State University Lancers (8-3) (WSU) and fell 65-57 Thursday afternoon in non-conference action at the WSU Wellness Center. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Anna Maria raced out to a quick 4-0 advantage in the first quarter which marked their largest lead of the game at 8:38. Deyarna Achille (Boston, MA) started things off after hitting a jumper and then Wilson followed right after hitting one of her own. WSU grabbed their first lead at 3:31 after going on a 12-6 run capitalized by a go-ahead three-pointer from Charlotte MacMillian (Brunswick, ME) to put the Lancers up 12-10.
• In the second quarter, WSU notched its largest lead (32-21) after MacMillian knocked down a jumper at 4:06. Anna Maria finished the half strongly when they utilized a 9-0 surge to pull within two going into halftime (32-30). Wilson spearheaded the run with six points and Sienna Johnson (Brockton, MA) chipped in three points to help the AMCATS cut down the 11 point deficit. 
• The squad won the third quarter, 14-11 and trailed only once, 33-30 at 9:44. Wilson quickly responded with a three-pointer to tie the game at 33 and then Sierra Johnson (Brockton, MA) converted a go-ahead layup for the 35-33 advantage early in the third. After both sides continued to battle in a hard-fought quarter, Gigi LeMay (Grafton, MA) hit a last-second layup to pull the Lancers within one (44-43) headed into the fourth. 
• For most of the quarter, no college pulled away for good after seven lead changes and two ties until the last 1:30 of the contest. Anna Maria had their last lead of the game with 3:57 left after Wilson hit two big free throws (55-54). 
• With 2:55 remaining, Sweeny put in a layup and gave WSU a 57-55 lead but Wilson trimmed the lead to one from a free throw after getting fouled. Up one with 1:08 left, MacMillian hit a dagger three-pointer to give the Lancers a 60-56 lead and hit their free throws the rest of the way for the eventual 65-57 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Wilson's 36 points are tied for third in program history (38, Meghan DePatsy; Eastern Nazarene; 1/9/07). Wilson also went to the free-throw line a season/career-high 17 times which puts her third in program history (21, Meghan DePatsy; New England College; 1/23/07). Out of the 17 free throws, Wilson knocked down 14 and places her in a tie for third in program history (17, Melissa Arsenault; Coast Guard; 96/97).
• On the defensive end, Wilson finished with a team-leading five blocks. This marks her ninth time with three or more blocks this season (third game with five blocks). 
• Francesca Hammond (Worcester, MA) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. It is her second time this season grabbing at least 10 or more rebounds (15 vs. Becker; 11/12/19). 
• For the Lancers, three different student-athletes scored double-digit points: Mya Mosley (Worcester, MA)- 15 points, LeMay- 11 points, and Catherine Sweeney (Lowell, MA)- 11 points. 
• Along with Sweeney's 11 points, she brought down a game-high 17 rebounds for the double-double (11 points/17 rebounds). 
• Anna Maria held the better field goal and three-point percentage in the afternoon (34.6/18.8 percent) compared to WSU's 31.9/17.6 percent. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Anna Maria returns home to start Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play hosting Rivier University on Wednesday, January 15 at 7 PM. Worcester State continues its homestand taking on Westfield State on Tuesday, January 14 at 5:30 PM. 

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