Westfield’s Jordan Santiago (Westfield High) steals the ball from Lyndon State’s Howard Lyles during early first-half action. (Photo by Dan Brady)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University had five players in double figures, led by sophomore guard Jordan Santiago’s (Westfield/Westfield HS) game highs of 12 points, six assists and four steals, as the Owls cruised to a 77-54 non-conference men’s basketball victory over Lyndon State (Vt.) College on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
Westfield upped its record to 8-1 heading into its final game this semester, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Southern Maine. Lyndon State is 3-3.
The Owls jumped out to a 42-18 halftime lead with another stingy defensive effort as Lyndon State only made 30 percent of its field goal attempts the entire game.
Westfield again leads the NCAA Division III in field goal percentage defense (34.1), picking up where they left off last season when it led the nation in field goal percentage defense and blocked shots.
Westfield senior guard Travis Nally is fouled while driving hard to basket. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
Westfield senior center Matt Devine – an imposing 6-7 presence inside – had a team-high nine rebounds and a game-high four blocks in 25 minutes of action. Devine, the nation’s leading shot blocker last season, scored 11 points along with senior guard Lee Vazquez and sophomore forward Grant Cooper.
Also scoring in double figures for the Owls was freshman reserve guard Ken Reed with 10 points. All 15 of Westfield’s players saw action with 11 getting into the scoring column.
The Owls shot 42 percent from the field and 44 percent (10 for 23) from 3-point range.
Devyn Baranauskas was Lyndon’s leading scorer with 11 points and Jason Gray posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
