All the Way to the Top

The Worcester State men’s basketball team had a record season, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994.

Led by Coach Tyler Hundley, the team captured their second conference championship in university history. Here’s how they got to the top.

Highlights of a Winning Season

Individual Accolades

Aaron Nkrumah

Sophomore, #30

• MASCAC Player of the Year

• 1st Team All-MASCAC

Region 1 Rookie of the Year and All-Region 1 2nd Team

• D3hoops.com

• National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Region 1 1st Team

Nov. 8, 2022: Setting the Stage

The Lancers opened the season at #8 WPI. The Lancers took the lead with 43 seconds left in the game, but ended up losing 73-71. This game showed the potential of this Lancer team against a strong competitor. Says Coach Tyler Hundley, “It set the tone in terms of confidence for the whole season. We rose to the occasion and showed that we were ready to play in a big game.”

Nov. 11 & 12, 2022: Tournament Victory

The Lancers won the Wheaton College Tip-Off Tournament beating Hunter College 111-94 and Wheaton 73-55. Erik Bjorn won tournament MVP averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and shooting 80% from the floor. Zion Hendrix made the All-Tournament Team, averaging 13.5 points and shooting 54% from 3.

Nov. 22, 2022: Defensive Dominance

The Lancers defeated Western New England University and held them to 20 points below their season average. This began a Lancer defensive dominance throughout the season. Aaron Nkrumah led the way with 22 points.

Jan. 14, 2 0 23: Beating Our Biggest Rival

Lancers beat Westfield State for the first time since Jan. 14, 2020, tipping the scales in a two-season rivalry. The teams have played each other in the conference championship in 2020 and 2022. Aaron Nkrumah led the way with 23 points and 6 rebounds.

Jan. 18, 2023: Tough OT Win

Ryan Rubenskas

Sophomore, #22

• 2nd Team All-MASCAC off Conference Rookie of the Year

• Coming

Erik Bjorn (Captain)

Senior, #24

• 2nd Team All-MASCAC

• 1,000 career points

• 1,000 career rebounds (2nd ever in Lancer history)

2 nd 1st since 1994

14

12

Worcester State won a gritty 69-62 OT game to stay perfect in conference play against the always tough and physical Fitchburg State. The Lancers had their worst offensive game statistically, but played inspiring defense and battled all night. Ryan Rubenskas played all 45 minutes and finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Personal Bests

Feb. 4, 2023:

Erik Bjorn scored his 1,000th point. Lancers beat second-place Bridgewater State. Both Aaron Nkrumah and senior captain Zion Hendrix had career high points (30 and 20, respectively) to lead the Lancers to a 75-72 victory.

Feb. 8, 2023: Regular Season Title

Lancers clinched the regular season title with an 80-58 win. It was the first win at Westfield State since 2017. Erik Bjorn led the way with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Feb. 18, 2023: Breaking Records

Lancers broke the program’s total wins record (20) and consecutive wins record (12), for an undefeated regular season in the MASCAC with a 67-52 win over Framingham State.

Feb. 26, 2023: Making History

The Lancers won their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletics Association (MASCAC) title since 1994 and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Erik Bjorn won MVP, grabbing 24 rebounds. He is only the second player in program history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.

78.5 %

By the Numbers

TOTAL WINS

22

N I K A M The

Cove R Story

On March 19, 2023, Worcester State alumnus and the university’s all-time leading basketball scorer Al Pettway made local history (again!) as he coached the young North High School basketball team to the city’s first-ever Division I State Championship. Many were in the stands that day cheering for Al and his kids, including Al’s longtime friend, fellow Worcester State alumnus and former basketball player Steve Bostic ’77, MEd ’86. We recently invited Steve to interview Al for Worcester State Magazine.

Candid and nostalgic, their conversation recounted Al’s life story from playing “crate ball” on the streets of Bridgeport, Conn., to becoming captain of the Worcester State 1994 team that led the Lancers to the NCAA Tournament. Nearly three decades would pass before another Worcester State team would make it to the NCAA Tournament—that was this year with coach Tyler Hundley.

We share Steve and Al’s conversation, condensed and edited for clarity.