Lee Vazquez releases the game-winning shot over Worcester’s Robert Hunter with 49 seconds remaining. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Senior guard Lee Vazquez scored a game-high 22 points and senior center Matt Devine had 21 points and game highs of 14 rebounds and five blocks as Westfield State University held on for a 70-66 victory over Worcester State on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
The Owls improved 1-1 in the conference, 10-3 overall, and presented head coach Rich Sutter with his 200th career victory. The 15th year Westfield head coach now has a 200-175 record.
Worcester State (1-1, 7-5) rallied from an early 18-point (22-4) deficit and from an 15-point, 53-38, deficit with 13:45 remaining to take their only lead of the game, 61-60, on a 3-point basket by Kyle Ferreira with 5:55 remaining that capped a 23-7 scoring run.
But the Owls withstood the big comeback led by Vazquez and Devine in the final minutes. Vazquez snapped a 64-all tie with a jumper from the right wing with 49 seconds remaining to give Westfield the lead for good.
On Worcester’s ensuing possession, Devine came up with a huge block in the lane, swatting the ball to the deep right corner where it was recovered by Vazquez. Westfield sophomore guard Jordan Santiago (WHS) was fouled with 26 seconds remaining and made two free throws for a 68-64 lead.
Worcester’s Dane Jobst put back an offensive rebound to make it 68-66 with eight seconds remaining. Devine then drained two free throws with seven seconds remaining to seal the victory.
The Owls led 26-8 with 11:14 remaining in the first half when the Lancers made their first comeback. Worcester whittled the margin to six, 30-24, on a traditional 3-point play by Jobst with 3:39 remaining, but Westfield took a 39-29 halftime lead on a buzzer beater 3-point basket from Vazquez.
The stat lines were fairly even with both teams making 25 field goals and five 3-point baskets. But the Owls were 15 for 25 from the foul line while Worcester was 11 for 18.
Westfield outrebounded Worcester, 45-40, and the Owls racked up 11 blocked shots. Santiago finished with 10 points, five assists and two steals, while Vazquz had five assists and three steals in addition to his game-high 22 points.
Alex Lopez led the Lancers with 17 points and Robert Hunter had 12 points and game highs of nine rebounds and five steals. Jobst (Athol/Mahar HS), the MASCAC’s leading scorer and second leading rebounder, finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Also scoring in double figures was Monte with 14 points.
