SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 8, 2023) – The Western New England men's basketball team defeated Springfield College on Wednesday night from the Alumni Healthful Living Center by a final score of 69-62, behind double-doubles from Gavin Greene and Andrew Byfield, to help the Golden Bears take the opening-night victory.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-0
• Springfield College: 0-1

How it Happened:
Springfield College opened the game with the first points, but Jake Harrison picked up right where he left off from last season, splashing a three-pointer to open his season with Western New England's first three points of the season. Andrew Byfield would go back to back, with Harrison connecting on a shot from distance to give WNE their first lead of the season. The first half would go back and forth, though an 11-0 run for the Golden Bears would give Western New England a 21-11 lead. Gavin Greene, Cody Palazzesi, and Jamani Alves would contribute on the offensive side of the ball for the Golden Bears on the run. Will Laplante III would score his first collegiate points with nine minutes to play in the first half, splashing a triple from distance to give WNE a 24-14 lead. Springfield College would cut Western New England's lead down to six and then to five with 3:13 left to play in the first. Gavin Greene would grab a layup at the hoop from Jake Harrison, putting Western New England ahead 37-27 with 35 seconds to play. Springfield would grab a pair of free throws to end the first half, as the Golden Bears took a 37-29 lead after the first half of play. WNE shot 50% from the field in the opening 20 minutes of play, connecting on four three-point shots.

The Pride would dial up the first five points of the second half when Gary Bess knocked down a three from distance to get the Pride within three points of a tie in the first 1:17 of the second half. With 16:12 to play in the first half, Gary Bess would get back on the board, slamming down a dunk to even the score at 39. The two teams would go back and forth through the midway point of the second half, with Nate Kasper coming away with a big three-point basket to give WNE a 48-43 lead. Kasper would get inside the paint and extend WNE's lead with 9:31 to play, giving Western New England a 52-45 lead. From there, the Pride would claw back, getting a quick three-point shot from Zeke Blaunder while John Paulino connected on an and-one to get Springfield within one point with 5:38 to play. Paulino would come back a minute and a half later and give Springfield College their first lead since the early goings of the game, knocking down a pair of free throws from the stripe and taking a 59-58 lead. From there, Western New England would go on a 9-0 run when Cody Palazzesi, Andrew Byfield, Gavin Greene, and Jake Harrison contributed clutch baskets and free throws to help Western New England defeat Springfield College down the stretch by a final score of 67-62.

Inside the Box:

• Gavin Greene recorded a double-double to open the season, scoring 19 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. Andrew Byfield came away with ten points and ten rebounds while shooting 4-5 from the floor to help Western New England to a win.
• Jake Harrison notched 13 points for Western New England while pulling down eight rebounds and collecting three assists, three steals, and one block on the night.
• WNE nailed seven three-pointers on the night while ripping down 47 total rebounds.
• Gary Bess led Springfield College with 12 points on the night, shooting 5-20 from the field.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Keene State College for the Owls home opener on Saturday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m.