Box Score Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Junior guard Jordan Rote (Sheffield, MA) came off the bench to score 19 points as the Springfield men's basketball team broke away in the second half for a 78-51 victory over Western New England in a non-league game Thursday night (Feb. 10) before 1,041 fans at Blake Arena.

This was the fifth consecutive win for the Pride who are now 14-8. The Golden Bears fall to 4-18.

Rote made 6-of-9 shots from the field, including all three of his three-pointers. He also sank all four of his foul shots and had two rebounds with a steal in 23 minutes.

Also scoring in double figures for SC were senior forward Matt Cavalieri (West Warwick, RI) who netted 17 points with six rebounds and senior guard Billy Harkins (Bellmore, NY) who added 10 points and four steals.

Western New England stayed close the entire first half and led 21-19 with just over four minutes remaining before SC closed with an 11-3 run to take a 30-24 advantage at the break.

Sophomore guard Damon Alston (New Britain, CT) drained a three-pointer to start the second half to get the Golden Bears within 30-27. The Pride answered with nine straight points for a 12-point advantage (39-27) and never looked back.

Senior forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, MA) and junior guard Andre Shaw (New York, NY) each scored 10 points for Western New England. Senior center Conor Lomas (Wilbraham, MA) pulled down a career high 15 rebounds.

Springfield outscored Western New England 48-27 in the second stanza and finished shooting 48.3% from the field. The Golden Bears had a tough shooting night, making only 34.0% of their field-goal attempts and 10-of-22 charity shots for 45.5%.

Tonight's game was originally scheduled to be played at Western New England, but was moved across town when roof problems closed the Alumni Healthful Living Center.