SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 15, 2022) – The Western New England University men's basketball team was able to take a eight point lead into the half after knocking down 14 field goals through the first 20 minutes of playing, following that up with scoring 43 second half points on their way to a 79-68 win over the Salve Regina Seahawks on Saturday afternoon from the Alumni Healthful Living Center. 

Records:

• Western New England: 5-7 (3-3 CCC)
• Salve Regina University:  9-4 (4-2 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears saw themselves faulter in the beginning of the contest as Save Regina would connect on an early three-point shot, followed by a made jumper by Mikey Spencer to give Salve Regina the lead. The Golden Bears would fight back for their first lead of the game at 8-7 off a Tim Restall layup at the 14:38 mark of the first half. Mookie Lester would connect from distance for the Golden Bears to give WNE the 11-9 lead over Salve Regina. At the midway point of the first half, Western New England would tighten up their defense and allow just two points to the Seahawks in a span of three minutes to extend their lead. Steevens Phelimond would connect on a mid-range jump shot at 10:09 into the half, while Jake Harrison continued his good play on the court by knocking down a chance at the rim to give the Golden Bears a 19-13 lead. 

Salve Regina would fight back into the game, knocking the Golden Bears lead down to just a single point with 5:47 remaining, though the Golden Bears would never lose their lead in the first half, extending their lead to as much as eight when the final buzzer went off to end the half. Brian Geitner would lead the Golden Bears with nine first half points, while Brian Berritto would collect seven points on 3-4 shooting. The Seahawks were led by Clay Brochu, who had nine points himself in the half and played all 20 minutes.

Western New England would start the second half with a made three-pointer from Harrison to give WNE their first double digit lead of the game, putting them ahead by 11. Geitner would travel to the rim just a minute into the second half and take some contact down low, though able to finish his layup opportunity and get credit with a free throw oppotunity for a three-point play. The Golden Bears defense would be a force in the second half with Andrew Byfield and Alex Sikorski coming up with big plays to keep Salve off the scoreboard.

Down the stretch into the final ten minutes left to play in the contest, Western New England would extend their lead to as many as 20 as Sikorski would finish a layup to give WNE the 65-45 lead. Salve Regina would attempt to crawl back into the contest, trimming the Golden Bears 20-point lead into a six point lead with 2:24 to play, though clutch free throw shooting from Restall and Harrison would give the Golden Bears some breathing room again. A Sikorski dunk with 1:36 to play iced the win for Western New England, giving the Golden Bears a 79-68 victory over the Seahawks. 

Inside the Arc:

• Western New England shot 42% from the field, knocking down four threes in the contest. The Golden Bears went to the free throw line 29 times in the contest, connecting on 21 of those 29 attempts. 
• WNE's leading scorer was Jake Harrison, who collected 20 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Bears. 
• Tim Restall collected his second straight double-double, picking up 13 points off 5-9 shooting, as well as knocking down three free throws. Restall grabbed 12 rebounds in the win. 
• Two other Golden Bears collected double digit points including Brian Geitner (14 points) and Alex Sikorski (14 points). 
• Salve Regina shot 48% from the field, though has 17 turnovers in the contest as well as 28 personal fouls, including seeing three players foul out of the contest. 
• WNE would out rebound the Seahawks 41-30.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Nichols College for a 7:30 tip-off on Wednesday, January 19. 
• Salve Regina stays on the road and travels to the University of New England on Monday, January 17 for a 7:00 pm tip.