SPRINGFIELD, Mass. â€" The Western New England College men’s basketball team ran its winning streak to four games with a come-from-behind 61-57 victory over visiting Emanuel College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest Saturday afternoon (Dec. 9) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Junior guard Ryan Hernandez (Hampton Bays, NY) came off the bench to lead the Golden Bears with 14 points, including a NBA three-pointer that broke a 48-48 tie with 5:48 remaining in the game. Hernandez’ trey capped a 10-2 run after Western New England College trailed 46-41 with nine minutes left in the contest.

The Saints pulled within two points twice down the stretch at 55-53 and 59-57 with 24.4 seconds remaining, but two free throws by junior forward Jim Bayne (Bristol, CT) with 18.3 seconds left preserved the win.

Bayne finished with a double double by scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward Kyle Fredette (Wallingford, VT) contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.

Sophomore guard Rob Williams-Hinton (Oak Park, MI) led Emmanuel with 20 points and six rebounds while junior forward Brian Lindsay (New Orleans, LA) also had a double double with 12 points and game high 13 rebounds.

The Saints held a 50-34 advantage in rebounding (including a 20-9 edge off the offensive boards), but committed 20 turnovers while the Golden Bears had only 10 miscues.

Western New England College climbs over the .500 mark at 5-4, including 2-0 in the conference. The Golden Bears will break the exams and the holidays before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, January 6 at Nichols.

Emmanuel, the defending GNAC regular season champions, remains winless at 0-6 (0-2 in the conference).