Math Madness a hit with area schools thanks to Worcester State; Defense gives WPI a boost

More than 400 local schoolchildren filled the bleachers at Brissette Court Monday afternoon for the Worcester State women’s basketball team’s annual Math Madness game.

Students from nearby May Street School and Tatnuck Magnet watched the Lancers battle nationally ranked Amherst, and at halftime went on the court to solve math challenges based on Worcester State players’ statistics and court dimensions.

Worcester State staff, alumni and students assisted as kids measured, counted and examined diagrams.

The WSU women’s basketball team began the Math Madness game in 2008. COVID canceled the event the last two seasons, so the Lancers were thrilled to welcome back the kids this week.

Worcester State teammates and sisters Erin and Elizabeth Gallella are student teachers at May Street School, so they had their own cheering section.

“It was awesome to have local public school student back in the gym,” Worcester State coach Karen Tessmer said, “cheering on the players, working on their math packets, measuring the court and meeting the players for autographs after the game.”

The Lancers trailed Amherst, ranked No. 21 in the lastest D3hoops.com poll, by eight heading to the fourth quarter before the Mammoths pulled away for a 72-53 win.

Defense does it for Engineers

The WPI men’s basketball team scored 88 points, its second-highest output of the season, in Saturday’s win over NEWMAC rival MIT, but as the Engineers climb the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll — this week, up two spots to No. 14 — they attribute much of their success to defense.

WPI is allowing an average of 52.9 points, best in Division 3 out of 413 schools, and fourth overall among 1,055 schools in all NCAA divisions.

WPI, the defending NEWMAC champion which advanced to the NCAA Tournament sectional final last season, has held seven of its first 12 opponents of 2022-23 under 50 points.

Additionally, the Engineers (10-2) rank second in Division 3 (and fourth in all divisions) in turnover margin (plus 9.4) and fourth in D3 in scoring margin (plus 21).

"Our defense has been very dependable for us this year," WPI coach Chris Bartley said, "and over the years. I think our statistics show we have a group that prepares well, plays hard, and trusts each other."

WPI sophomore point guard Aidan Callahan’s 10-steal performance against Fitchburg State in November is the second-most in D3 this season, behind Heem Burno (11) of Kean.

Meanwhile, the WPI women’s basketball team is allowing 45.1 points per game to rank third in Division 3 out of 425 schools and fourth of 1,067 NCAA schools in all three divisions.

WPI (10-3) has held six of its opponents to 40 points or less.

The Engineers rank first in New England Division 3 and seventh nationwide in field goal percentage defense (30.1%) and eighth in the country in rebounding margin (plus 12.2).

"Our goal every year is to be not just the best defense (in the NEWMAC)," WPI coach Cherise Galasso said, "but in the country. And this group is really locked in, really communicating well and have each other's backs. They love a challenge and have a chance to be special down the stretch."

Crusaders wind up No. 6

The Holy Cross football team, which won a program-record 12 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, ranked No. 6 in the final Stats Perform and American Football Coaches Association top-25 polls. … Nichols graduate Zachary Shaw is the new Fitchburg State football coach. Shaw was most recently the offensive coordinator at Elmhurst University in Illinois. Shaw also previously coached at Hiram College in Ohio, and overseas. In 2019, he was Nichols’ director of football operations and offensive coordinator.

Remembering broadcasting pioneer

Jim Allegro, a central figure in ESPN’s history and a 1956 Holy Cross graduate, passed away on New Year’s Eve in St. Augustine, Fla. He was 88.

Allegro, who played football at Holy Cross for coach Dr. Eddie Anderson, was a longtime executive at ABC and ESPN. He was essential in the creation of The ESPYs, ESPN2, ESPN Radio, and The V Foundation for cancer research.

Allegro leaves his wife, Lesley, seven children and 14 grandchildren.

Head of the Class

∎ Brandeis senior Dylan Lien of Northborough and Worcester Academy scored a career-high 28 points in 30 minutes off the bench to lead the Judges to a win over NYU.

∎ Holy Cross freshman Will Batchelder averaged 15.5 points on 50% shooting and two assists in the Crusaders’ 1-1 week.

∎ Fitchburg State junior Javon Taylor averaged 19.5 points and nine rebounds in a 2-0 week.

∎ With 15 rebounds in a win over Mississippi State, former Worcester Academy star and South Carolina senior Aliyah Boston set the program record for career rebounds against an SEC opponent.

∎ Holy Cross freshman Simone Foreman averaged 9.5 points on 57% shooting, 2.5 rebounds and 2 steals in the Crusaders’ two victories. At 4-0 (12-3 overall), HC is tied for the top spot in the Patriot League with Boston University.

∎ Freshmen Casey Borgiel and Alexia Moreau and senior Darcy Johal each scored to lift Holy Cross to a 3-2 Frozen Fenway win over Hockey East foe Boston University at Fenway Park.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTolandTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Math Madness takes over at Worcester State; Defense gives WPI a boost