WORCESTER -- Ava Giansiracusa tallied a game-high 13 points (Wethersfield, CT) and Ava Hyams (Kearny, NJ) posted her first career double-double and the duo spearheaded a big WPI third quarter as the Engineers delivered a 54-45 triumph over Worcester State to open their 2025-26 campaign on the opening night of the 44th annual Worcester City Tournament hosted by Clark on Friday evening. 
 
The Engineers and Lancers traded momentum early, with both sides exchanging baskets through a physical first half. Senior Megan Stone (Hanson, MA) got WPI on the board with an early layup off a feed from Hyams, while Lena Waldron (Quincy, MA) answered with a pair of buckets to give Worcester State an 11-10 edge after the opening quarter.

The back-and-forth continued into the second frame. Junior Leila Nielsen (New York, NY) knocked down a midrange jumper to spark a 6-0 run capped by Giansiracusa on a drive through traffic. The Lancers countered behind Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA), who distributed the ball well in transition, and Ayden Gulliver (Cranston, RI), whose three-point play just before halftime nudged Worcester State ahead 26-25 at the break.

WPI opened the period on a 12-2 run fueled by second-chance opportunities and stifling defense. Junior Allison Fullem (Underhill, VT) finished through contact to reclaim the lead, while Giansiracusa followed with a layup and an assist to Stone as the margin grew. Later, Emmy Allyn (Rutland, MA) turned a steal into an easy fast-break bucket, igniting the WPI bench as the Engineers closed the quarter up 45-31 after a 20-5 third quarter advantage. Worcester State responded in the final stanza, stringing together a 7-0 spurt led by Waldro and Haynes to trim the deficit to single digits.

WPI outscored Worcester State 32-22 in the paint and held a commanding 41-31 edge on the boards. Stone grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while Allyn added six points and two steals. Fullem chipped in six points, and Giansiracusa recorded multiple assists in her steady floor leadership.

Waldron paced Worcester State with 12 points and six rebounds, while Haynes notched eight points and five assists for the Lancers.
 
With the victory, the Crimson and Gray will face two-time defending champion Clark on Saturday back at the Kneller Center at 5:30pm. The two programs will meet for the crown for the fourth straight season and WPI had captured the title eight consecutive times prior to Clark's win the past two years. The Cougars advanced to the title tilt by defeating Anna Maria 113-54 in Friday's other matchup.  Worcester State and Anna Maria will meet in the consolation contest on Saturday at 3:30pm.