By Tiffany Williams –
The Worcester State Lancers are heating up at exactly the right time — and on Valentine’s Day, they showed no love to the Salem State Vikings.
In front of 136 at Brissette Court on February 14, 2026, Worcester State overpowered Salem State 91-81, stretching its win streak to three and tightening its grip on the conference race. The Lancers are now 11-12 overall and a sharp 9-3 in conference play. Salem State walked out with another defensive headache.
This wasn’t a squeaker. Worcester State punched first and never trailed. The Lancers dropped 46 in the first half, shot a blistering 58.1 percent from the field for the game, and built a lead that ballooned to 19 midway through the second half. Salem State never led. Not once.
Joe Okla was a problem Salem State had no answer for. The big man went 7-for-10 from the floor, ripped down 12 rebounds, and stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points and five assists. Efficient. Physical. In control.
Johnny Annan orchestrated the offense like a surgeon — 14 points, six assists, two blocks. Jaydon Buckle added 10. Daniel Wondie drilled three triples and finished with 12. Ethan Daleba chipped in 12 more. Worcester State didn’t just beat Salem — it dissected them.
And the ball movement? Crisp. The Lancers piled up 25 assists on 36 made field goals. That’s grown-man basketball.
Salem State had its moments — mostly thanks to Raheim Orleans, who was lights out at 11-for-11 from the field. Yes, perfect. He poured in 24 points and did everything he could to keep the Vikings within shouting distance. Ali Barry added 17. But the math didn’t lie.
Salem shot 42.5 percent overall and a cold 24 percent from three. Worcester? A scorching 44.4 percent from deep. That’s the difference between chasing and controlling.
The Vikings did win the points-off-turnovers battle 19-15 and grabbed 17 second-chance points. It didn’t matter. Worcester State dominated the paint 52-42 and owned the glass 38-33. When the Lancers needed a bucket, they got one. When Salem needed a stop, they couldn’t.
Even at the stripe, where Worcester struggled at 47.8 percent, it didn’t cost them. Because when you’re slicing up a defense for nearly 60 percent shooting, free throws are just decoration.
Ayme Daguilh added 10 points off the bench for Worcester State — and picked up the game’s only technical foul. Salem had none. The officials — Rafeal Olmedo, Sean Burke, Brendan Costello — kept it controlled. This wasn’t chippy. It was clinical.
Here’s the bigger picture: Worcester State is averaging 78.7 points per game this season while allowing 79.7. On this night? They outgunned that narrative. They were sharper than their season field goal percentage (44.4). They were tougher on the glass than their averages suggest. And they’re now winners of three straight heading deeper into February.
Salem State dropped 81 and still felt like they were chasing shadows. When you allow 58.1 percent shooting, you’re not playing defense. You’re participating.
Worcester State didn’t just win. They made a statement.
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Laura Soukkavong & Paul Vangos contributed to this story.