SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 8, 2022)– The Western New England men's basketball team had a close battle with the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards tonight and ultimately came out victorious for a final score of 79-66.  

Records:

• Western New England: 11-9, 9-5 CCC
• Wentworth Institute: 7-13, 4-10 CCC

How It Happened:

The Golden Bears got behind early to the Leopards who started off to a 7-0 lead. Tim Restall broke the scoreless streak for WNE at the 16:47 minute mark during the first half. Brian Berritto tied it up for WNE with a three-point jumper to make the score 9-9. It took a minute for either team to hit a basket, letting 1:36 of play go without points being added to the scoreboard. Kenny Flynn had a slam dunk that took the lead for Western New England with 13 minutes left in the half, and they controlled the lead for the remainder of time in the half. Wentworth kept it a battle. Every time the Golden Bears would build up a lead, the Leopards started crawling back into the game. Gavin Greene brought the lead up to seven at the 9:25 mark with a score of 20-13, but Wentworth kept them down to a five-point lead for almost three minutes of time ticking. A layup from Restall pushed the lead up to eight for WNE which was the largest lead the held in the first half. Wentworth fought their way back within four points of the Golden Bears with 30 seconds remaining in the half, but a last second three-point swish from Brian Geitner but them back up seven to end the half, score 43-36 Golden Bears. 

The Wentworth Leopards knocked in the first basket of the half. Geitner continued his hot hand into the second half nailing another three in to answer the Leopards shot. The Golden Bears got up to a 10-point lead, score at 50-40, that they held on to for a few minutes until Wentworth pulled the game back within five points with 13:40 left in the game. The Golden Bears only scored two baskets in almost five minutes while the Leopards put the score at 54-50 with 10:07 remaining. Another three-pointer pulled the Golden Bears back up seven points. Turnovers and some more missed shots let Wentworth tie the game up with 7:26 in the second half at 59-59. This was the last time WNE let the Leopards be that close in the game. Restall and Jake Harrison both went two for two at the foul line to increase a WNE lead and added some layups. Geitner hit another three and the Golden Bears closed out the game 79-66 beating Wentworth by 13.

Inside the Numbers: 

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot 45.6 percent from the floor, 38.9 percent from three, and 69.0 percent from the foul line while gathering 38 rebounds, 12 assists, six blocks and five steals.
• Wentworth shot 39.1 percent from the hardwood, 38.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.6 percent from the free throw line while tallying 29 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals.
• The Golden Bears were led by Restall and Geitner, both recording 19 points. Restall also finished with nine boards.
• Harrison had a double-double for the Golden Bears compiling 15 points and 12 rebounds and led the team in assist with five. 

Up Next:

• The Golden Bears remain at the Alumni Healthful Living Center on February 12, where they will rematch with The Nichols College Bisons for their Senior Day at 3:00 p.m.
• The Leopards will be back on the road for their next game on February 10, where they will take on the Suffolk University Rams at 7:30 p.m.