WORCESTER, Mass.—In its first game back from winter break, Gordon controlled host Worcester State in a 67-55 win at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The Fighting Scots led by as many as 24 points late in the second half and held off a late rally to pull out its second consecutive non-conference victory.
 
The Fighting Scots looked like the sharper team early in the game despite being the one's not to play during Christmas break. Gordon set the tone of the first half from the opening time, using its vast size advantage over the Lancers to propel them to a 9-2 lead just three minutes into the half. Four different Gordon players scored during the stretch, including a deep three at the top of the key by freshman point guard Jaren Yang (San Francisco, Calif.).
 
The Fighting Scots extended their lead to 10 points by the midway point of the half with reserve guard Craig McFarlane (Hackensack, N.J.) pacing the offense thanks to a pair of triples. With 6:41 remaining Gordon pushed its lead to 15 on Yang's second three-point make of the first half, forcing the Lancers into a full timeout.
 
Worcester State was plagued with long stretches of droughts from floor, but lengthy center Paul Brooks kept the game from getting out of hand. He finished the half as the game leader in points with seven on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor.
 
Gordon held at 14-point lead with the shot clock turned off at the end of the first half, but a costly turnover allowed the Lancers' Isaiah Tatum to hit a runner in the lane as time expired. The Fighting Scots led 29-17 at the break and held the Lancers to just a 18.8 shooting percentage from the field.
 
The stellar defensive effort continued for the Fighting Scots with the offense also maintaining the intensity on the other end. Gordon's best two-way showing of the season resulted in a 57-33 advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the contest.
 
However, with the starters on the bench, Worcester State took advantage of some mismatches beyond the arch. The Lancers went on a 14-0 run in a three minutes span to force Gordon to bring its first unit back into the game. The Scots buckled down over the final three minutes to hold on for a 67-55 victory.
 
Brendan Rios led the Lancers with 13 points on the evening, but he struggled from the floor on 4-of-19 shooting. Ryan Dibernardo was sharp down the stretch, with three triples in the late going to finish with 12 points. Brooks also finished in double figures for Worcester State with 11 points and a game-high five blocks. Brooks and Miersma were neck and neck in season blocks entering the night.
 
Gordon was also paced with a spread scoring effort. Hans Miersma (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Yang were the only two to break the 10-point barrier at 13 and 12 apiece.  Taylor Bajema (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Udoka Obiora (Boston, Mass.) were the standouts of the second half, combing for 15 points in the period. Jason Dempsey (Wallingford, Conn.) led all players with 10 rebounds and Richie Armand (Hempstead, N.Y.) provided a spark off the bench with three steals in his first action coming back from injury.
 
Gordon will return home on Tuesday evening with a Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup with Western New England at 5:30 p.m.