SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 19, 2023) – The Western New England men's basketball team led by double digits in the second quarter of the Hampton Inn Tip Off Tournament Classic on Sunday afternoon, but saw the Kean University Cougars climb all the way back before a clutch three-point shot from Mike Resnick would spark a WNE victory, defeating Kean by a final score of 75-68.

Records:

• Kean University: 1-2
• Western New England: 4-1

How it Happened:
Neither team would record a field goal in the opening three minutes of the game, as the lone point came on a Kean field goal 2:37 into the first half. Western New England would see Jake Harrison make a three-point shot to start the afternoon, coming off a 33-point performance a night ago. Kean would take a four-point lead three times in the early goings of the championship game before Western New England would take their first lead of the game at 14-12 when Andrew Byfield netted a three from distance while Gavin Greene got to the rip on a scooping layup to give WNE a 14-12 lead. WNE would extend their lead to eight points after Brian Geitner would hit from distance as the Golden Bears dropped seven opening-quarter three-point shots in the opening half. Geitner's three-point shot with 4:20 left would give Western New England a ten-point lead, while the Golden Bears would take an eight-point lead after one half of play.

Senior Mike Resnick would catch fire in the second half after only scoring three points through the first 20 minutes of play. An early 6-0 run from Kean would set the Cougars down by just four points in the first 2:15 of the half. From there, Western New England would continue their hot shooting, led by Mike Resnick, who knocked down a three and then recorded a steal, which resulted in a slam from Gavin Greene, giving WNE an 11-point lead, 46-35. Resnick would put Western New England ahead by 18 points with another three-point shot, as it looked as though WNE would run away with their tournament victory. Kean would make a massive comeback, going from down 18 to up two points in eight minutes as the hot shooting from WNE in the first half and change would go ice cold, allowing the Cougars to get back into the game. A Resnick layup would be the last field goal WNE would score at the 13:02 mark until a huge three-point shot from the senior would get Western New England their lead back with 3:54 to play in the game. Kean would go on a 26-7 run in that span to take a lead before the Golden Bears would put the game away as Resnick would connect on another three-ball with 1:50 to play to give WNE a 70-65 lead. WNE would put the game away late with defensive stands, holding Kean to 68 points in the first ever meeting between the two teams, as Western New England would defeat Kean University 75-68 to win their second Hampton Inn Tip Off Tournament championship.

Inside the Box:

• Senior Mike Renick finished the night with a career high 21 points, including 5/9 from three, while grabbing three rebounds and one steal.
• Gavin Greene (14), Andrew Byfield (12), and Brian Geitner (12) all recorded double digits in scoring on the night.
• As a team, Western New England shot 48.9% from the field and nailed 12 of 23 three-point shots.
• Griffin Barker led Kean with 23 points and 11 rebounds on the afternoon.
• Jake Harrison was named to the All-Tournament All-Star team, while Mike Resnick earned the All-Tournament MVP.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will complete their three-game homestand and three games in four nights when Worcester State University visits Springfield on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.