DUDLEY, Mass. (11/7/2026) – The Nichols College women's basketball team secured its first win of the season under first-year head coach
Jacque Rivera, defeating Worcester State University 49-42 to close out the Worcester City Tournament at Harrington Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
With the victory the Bison stand at an even 1-1 overall while the Lancers drop to 0-2.
Sophomore
Dakoda Correia's hot hand from beyond the arc fueled the Bison offense, as she finished with 10 points while shooting 3-of-5 from three-point range. She also contributed three steals and a pair of rebounds. Junior
Nicole Parks controlled the glass, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with eight points and four steals. Senior
Rylee Barrieault and sophomore
Jaelize Rivera provided additional offensive support, combining for 13 points. Barrieault recorded seven points, two steals, one rebound, and one assist, while Rivera added six points, two assists, and two rebounds.
The opening quarter was evenly matched, with Rivera getting the Bison on the board with a pair of free throws. Worcester State began to build some momentum midway through the quarter, using trips to the charity stripe to establish a three-point advantage. Nichols responded with an immediate spark off the bench from
Isabella Lopez-Marin, who checked in and made an instant impact with a jumper, a steal, and an assist on a transition layup by Parks within a 30-second stretch. Both teams continued to attack the paint and play aggressively, with Worcester State knocking down a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to even the score at 11-11 heading into the second quarter.
The Bison carried their momentum into the second quarter, opening with a four-point run behind a layup from Parks and a pair of free throws to take a 15-11 lead. Nichols continued to apply pressure defensively, holding the Lancers scoreless for nearly seven minutes. The Bison kept their foot on the gas after Correia knocked down her first three-pointer of the afternoon to extend the lead to 18-11. Worcester State began to chip away at the deficit, cutting the lead to four late in the quarter. However, the Bison responded with a free throw from
Adison Whitty and a last-second layup from
Juliana Brimecombe to take a 23-16 advantage into halftime.
Nichols continued to attack the paint, opening the second half with a layup from
Angelina Coletti to push its lead to nine. The Lancers responded, increasing their intensity and converting an and-one opportunity to shift some momentum in their favor. Correia answered by getting to the free-throw line and knocking down one before connecting on another three-pointer shortly after to extend the Bison advantage to seven. Worcester State continued to chip away at the lead, using trips to the charity stripe to stay within reach.
Riley Bassett provided a spark off the bench, adding a pair of baskets in the paint, while the Bison continued to find ways to score at the free-throw line. Nichols maintained its advantage through the closing minutes, heading into the final quarter with a 35-27 lead.
The Lancers came out aggressively in the fourth quarter, looking to erase the eight-point deficit. Worcester State began to find its rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to cut the Nichols lead to four. The Lancers continued to chip away, eventually tying the game at 37-37 with just over four minutes remaining. Worcester State briefly took a 39-37 lead, but Barrieault answered with a clutch three-pointer to put the Bison back in front. Correia followed with another triple at the 1:47 mark to extend the Nichols advantage to four. The Bison stayed composed down the stretch, with Rivera converting at the free throw line before a timely steal from Barrieault led to another trip to the line. Worcester State added a late three-pointer, but Parks knocked down a free throw in the closing seconds to seal the 49-42 victory and secure the Bison's first win of the season.
The Bison will head to Danbury Connecticut for their next contest as they face the Wolves of Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday, November 11th at 5:00 PM at the Stephen Feldman Arena.
