Westfield sophomore Forbasaw Nkamebo powers to the hoop during first-half action. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Junior center Gabby Felix had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead Westfield State University to a 67-51 victory over Suffolk University in non-conference women’s basketball on Monday.
Westfield boosted its record to 6-5 heading into its conference opener this Thursday, Jan. 9, when it hosts Framingham State at 5:30.
Suffolk, 5-3, suffered from a severe cold shooting spell in its first game in 30 days, an 83-67 triumph over Fitchburg on Dec. 7. The Rams missed their first 18 shots from the floor as the Owls took a 15-0 lead with 12:33 remaining in the first half.
Suffolk finally scored its first field goal at the nine-minute mark to make it 15-3. For the game, the Rams shot 22 percent (17 for 76) from the field, including 14 percent (5 for 34) in the first half. They were 3 for 23 from 3-point range but did can 14 of 18 free throws.
Westfield shot 38 percent (24 for 63) from the field and 71 percent (15 for 21) from the foul line. Felix had the hot hand, making 7 of 12 field goal attempts and 10 of 12 free throws. But the Owls were unable to pull away as they committed 22 turnovers.
Suffolk trailed 20-10 at the 4:19 mark when Westfield quickly built an 18-point lead sparked by five points and and assist from junior reserve forward Molly Waitt.
Junior reserve guard Brianna Lowry converts a layup a second before the first-half buzzer sounds. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
The Owls led at halftime, 33-14, and took their largest lead of 23 points, 39-16, with 17:19 left in the game.
Led by Shelby Santini (team-high 19 points) and Jennifer Ruys (13 points, 12 rebounds), Suffolk outscored Westfield 18-6 over the next seven minutes to pull within 11 points, 45-34, with 10:24 remaining.
The Owls withstood the Rams’ initial comeback attempt as Tayler Travis nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing and Jen Ashton converted a layup for a 50-34 advantage at the 8:53 mark.
Suffolk did slice the Westfield lead to single digits, 54-45, with 5:07 remaining on a 3-point basket by Santini. Westfield then scored six straight points for a 15-point lead with 3:17 remaining.
Westfield sophomore point guard Keri Doldoorian had a rare double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, all on the defensive end as she corralled many long rebounds. Ashton tallied 10 points and had game highs of seven assists and three steals in 23 minutes of action. Also playing 23 minutes was sophomore forward Forbasaw Nkamebo, who finished with nine points and seven boards.
