Robby Jones, far right, flips a no look pass to Dan Tessier for another easy two points. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Junior captain Grant Cooper (Northampton) scored a game-high 26 points as Westfield State University cruised to an 83-60 victory over MCLA in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon.
Westfield improves to 2-3 in the MASCAC and 9-8 overall. MCLA drops to 1-4 and 4-13.
Led by 17 points from Cooper, the Owls jumped out to a 37-18 halftime over the cold-shooting Trailblazers, who only made 4 of 26 field goal attempts (15 percent) in the opening 20 minutes.
The Trailblazers only trailed 16-12 with 9:15 remaining in the first half, but they did not make a field goal in the final 8:42 of the half.
“We played solid as a team today,” said Cooper. “The key to our victory was teamwork both offensively and defensively. We have to work on our free throws but when everything comes together we’ll be a scary team.”
The Owls launched 44 free throws in the foul-marred game and made 25 (57 percent). There were 53 fouls whistled, including 33 against MCLA.
Robby Jones chases down a long pass during one of the Owls’ many fastbreak layups. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
Cooper was 8 for 11 from the field and 8 for 14 from the foul line to take game-high scoring honors. He also had six assists and five steals.
Westfield junior forward Dan Tessier turned in one of his best games of the season with 15 points and a team-high six rebounds. He made 7 of 8 field goal attempts.
Team-wise, Westfield shot 52 percent from the field and dished out 22 assists on 28 field goals. The Owls also recorded 20 steals as MCLA committed 29 turnovers.
Westfield State junior point guard Robby Jones of Chicopee had a fine floor game with 10 points, seven assists and five steals. Junior forward Dan Johnson of Belchertown contributed 10 points, three assists, and four steals.
All 11 players saw action for the Owls, who led by as many as 32 points late in the second half.
John Jones was the only Trailblazer in double figures with 24 points, including 18 in the high-scoring second half in which Westfield outpointed MCLA, 46-42. Jones also grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
