WESTFIELD – Westfield State used an explosive 24-6 run late in the first half to build a big lead, then held off Framingham State down the stretch for a 71-60 win in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference game at the Woodward Center on Saturday.
Jesus Sanchez led Westfield with 15 points. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State Sports)
Westfield State (9-12, 4-5 MASCAC) led 20-14 win 9:30 left in the first half. Jesus Sanchez sparked the run with a three-pointer as the Owls made their next five shots from the floor. Westfield got two big dunks in the middle of the run to maintain the momentum, the first from Shane Pasquantonio off a feed from Phillip Diphillipo, then the Owls next hoop came on a back-door alley-oop from Diphillipo to Tchuijo Nkamebo who hammered home the feed to give Westfield a 39-18 lead.
Westfield build the lead to as many as 24, 44-20, before Framingham cut the halftime margin to 44-22 after a Tim Mangano jumper.
Westfield shot a blistering 60 percent from the floor in the first half, including connecting on six-of-seven three-point attempts.
Framingham mustered a rally in the second half, cutting the lead all the way down to nine points, 66-57 with 2:56 to play on a jumper by Tony Alexander. Westfield made five of eight free throws down the stretch to preserve the final margin of victory.
Sanchez led Westfield with 15 points and six assists. Jose Allen and Pasquantonio chipped in with 14 points each. Nkamebo finished with nine points and 13 rebounds, all coming at the defensive end of the court.
Mangano led Framingham (4-17, 1-8 MASCAC with 19 points. Tim McCarthy and Jacek Louisville added 10 apiece for the Rams.
Westfield will host local rival Elms College on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. That game will feature the Athletic Director’s 3.0 honor roll and reception at halftime.
Framingham will be back in action on Wednesday at MCLA. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
