NORTHFIELD, Vt. – December 6, 2008 - Matt Lemieux scored 23 points and dished out a game-high nine assists, and Will Bardaglio scored 16 points as Colby-Sawyer defeated Worcester State, 85-72, in the first round of the 2008 Ed Hockenbury Classic Saturday evening at Andrews Hall.

With the victory, the Chargers (4-2) move into Sunday's tournament championship game, where they will face the host Norwich University Cadets at 3 p.m.

Jon Chaloux added 12 points for CSC, while David Rosso and Duncan Szeliga each added 11 apiece.

Worcester State (2-4) was paced by Maurice Horton, who scored a game-high 33 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds before fouling out in the second half. Patrick Hamilton added 11 points for the Lancers.

Worcester State started fast, opening up a 19-9 lead at the 11:30 mark of the first half. Colby-Sawyer responded with a 17-4 run to edge in front, 26-23, with 7:31 to play in the opening 20 minutes. Three free throws pulled the Lancers even at 26-26 moments later, but CSC ended the first half on a 14-4 spurt to take a 40-30 lead into halftime.

The Chargers continued to increase their lead in the opening minutes of the second half, opening the second stanza on a 15-7 run to go ahead 55-37 at the 15:15 mark. CSC's lead never dipped below 11 points the rest of the way, as they cruised to the victory.

The game was a physical one that featured a combined 57 fouls. Colby-Sawyer converted 32-of-42 free throws, while Worcester State hit 22-of-30 from the charity stripe. CSC held a 43-35 rebounding edge.