Men's Basketball Falls to Westfield, 73-57

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore forward Grant Cooper (Northampton, Mass.) scored a game-high 21 points and sophomore guard Jordan Santiago (Westfield, Mass.) scored a season-high 20 points in a balanced attack as Westfield State University posted a 73-57 victory over Bridgewater State University on Saturday, Feb. 2.

The Owls improved to 7-2 in the MASCAC and 17-4 overall heading into their showdown at first place MCLA next Tuesday. Bridgewater is 4-5 in conference play and 9-11 overall.

Four players combined for 69 of the Owls' points. Senior guard Lee Vazquez (Attleboro, Mass.) tallied 18 points and a game-high five steals and senior center Matt Devine (Pembroke, Mass.) was a strong presence inside once again with 10 points, and game highs of 15 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Bridgewater's Anthony Fortes (Providence, R.I.) and Michael Lofton (Mansfield, Mass.) tied for team-high honors with 14 points apiece. Lofton also had a team-high eight rebounds.

Westfield forced 25 Bridgewater turnovers, including 14 in the first half when the Owls took a 33-23 lead. Santiago and Cooper each recorded four steals in the Owls' harassing full court press defense.

The Owls got off to a sluggish start and trailed 20-17 with 7:33 remaining in the first half. Westfield then went on a 16-0 run, taking the lead for good, 22-20, on a 3-point basket by Santiago.

Westfield led 33-23 at halftime and scored nine straight points early in the second half for a 42-25 lead. Midway through the half, Bridgewater went on a 9-1 run to close within eight, 52-44, with 8:59 remaining. But led by the scoring of Cooper and Santiago, along with an intense full court defense, the Owls withstood the challenge and built a 19-point lead, 63-44, with 4:33 remaining.

Cooper collected seven (7 for 10) of his game-high 21 points from the foul line and Santiago was 9 for 12 from the charity stripe.