Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information

Worcester, MA --- For the fifth time in as many years, the Worcester State women's basketball team will be hosting a "Math Madness" event for local elementary and middle school students this Thursday at 12 PM against Suffolk. The event will allow local children the opportunity to enrich their math skills through basketball.

With approximately 400 students expected to participate from the May Street School, the Chandler Magnet School and the Forest Grove Middle School, the event is designed to offer students the opportunity to answer questions from grade appropriate math packets.

The questions will engage the students in solving problems related to player's statistics, scores, averages, court dimensions, the height of the basket from the floor and other math equations.

Immediately following the conclusion of the contest, students will have the opportunity to meet and greet players from both teams.

The Lancers, who hold the 7-0 all-time edge, will play the Rams for the first time since defeating them at the West Coast Classic Invitational at UC Santa Barbara during the 2008-09 season.

Worcester State (5-8) is led in scoring and rebounding by senior Meaghan O’Keefe (Warren, MA) who averages 14.1 points per game and 11.1 rebounds in 13 contests. Sophomore Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) also puts up totals of 10.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG while junior Meaghan Burns (E. Brookfield, MA) has 8.9 PPG and 2.2 steals.

Suffolk (7-3) is paced by third-year Jennifer Ruys (Wallingford, CT) who leads the squad with 15.5 points per game and sophomore Tori Brillaud (N. Andover, MA) adds 8.8 caroms in 10 starts. Senior Jacqueline Vienneau (Salem, NH) pitches in with a GNAC-best 5.5 assists per contest.

For more information please contact head women's basketball coach Karen Tessmer at 508-929-8769