Worcester, MA—The Lancers of Worcester State University posted an 82-77 victory over the Gators of The Sage College' on Friday night in non-conference action. Worcester State improves to 2-9 on the season, while Sage falls to 4-6.

After a slow start that found the Lancers leading by 17 points in the first half, Sage managed a strong second half and tied the game at 70-70 with 4:23 left to play as senior Davon Sylvester (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes) hit a layup. Worcester answered right back with a 5-0 run as Jamal Mustapha added back to back layups a free throw to help WSU back to a 75-70 lead with 2:29 left to play. Despite five Sage performers finishing in double-digits in the action, Sage dropped the action.

Sylvester and senior forward Marcus Patterson (Bronx, NY/Mount Saint Michael Academy) both tallied 14 points. Sylvester led the team in the first half with nine points and finished the night with seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Patterson connected for 14 points with seven rebounds and two blocks. Patterson, who made 8-of-11 shots from the line in the contest, surpassed the 700 career point plateau and now has 703 points, good enough for No. 7 at Sage, while his 435 career rebounds is now 5^th. He also boasts 32 career blocked shots, which ranks 6^th best at Sage in 85 career games played, also No. 5 all-time.

Senior tri-captain Alex Lilac (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) added a career-high 10 points in the contest, while senior Rob Mills (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) added 12 points with five rebounds. Junior Barkeem Dukes (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) added 11 points with seven boards.

Worcester State's Jeremy Bacon added a double-double on 16 points with 14 boards, while Mustapha added 14 points and made 8-of-15 from the line. Paul Brooks posted 13 points with five blocked shots, while both Cal Howes and Arron Annibelli finished with 12 points each.

Sage is back in action on January 4 at Purchase College for an 8 p.m. Skyline Conference match-up on the road.