SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 2, 2024) – The Western New England men's basketball team saw newcomer Matt Houde and senior Tim Restall contribute in a big way in their season debuts on Tuesday night, helping the Golden Bears defeat the visiting Leopards of Wentworth Institute of Technology for the third straight time on home court, 82-73.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-4, 3-1 CCC
• Wentworth Institute of Technology: 5-6, 1-2 CCC

How it Happened:
The Golden Bears came away with a quick 7-0 lead to open the game after Mike Resnick and Gavin Greene would connect from inside the key while Resnick would bury a three-ball from the corner to quickly put the Leopards under pressure. Wentworth would see their first field goal of the game come with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half after Cody Palazzesi and Tim Restall would come away with buckets as WNE would lead 11-2. Brian Geitner would check into the game and splash a three-ball as the Golden Bears would maintain their nine-point lead, taking a 16-7 advantage. Wentworth could only get WNE's lead down to five points through the midway point of the first half before Western New England would go on a scoring run, which included the first points in Matt Houde's Golden Bear career as the sophomore dropped a triple with 8:41 to play to give WNE an 11-point lead. WNE would extend the lead to 16 points when Mike Resnick continued to dominate the offensive, giving the Golden Bears a 30-14 lead. From there, Wentworth and WNE would go back-and-forth down the stretch of the first half until the Leopards would go on an 8-0 scoring run to cut WNE's 12-point lead to a four-point lead with 59 seconds to play in the half. Western New England would grab the final three points of the half after Cody Palazzesi converted on a buzzer-beating layup to give the blue and gold a 39-32 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The teams would convert on buckets early in the first half, with Western New England's Tim Restall dominating the post-game. Cody Palazzesi would give the Golden Bears another double-digit lead six minutes into the second half, connecting on a layup, giving WNE a 50-40 lead. While Wentworth would go on a mini-scoring run through the midway point of the second half, Tim Restall and Matt Houde would drop the next seven points for WNE as the blue and gold would retake their double-digit lead, leading 61-50 with 9:06 to play. The lead would stay stagnant for the Golden Bears as Wentworth and Western New England would continue to go back-and-forth, basket for basket, leaving WNE's lead intact. The Golden Bears would hold at least a six-point lead for the entirety of the second half, as Western New England would hold off Wentworth by a final score of 82-73.

Inside the Lines:

• In his season debut, senior Tim Restall would carry the Golden Bears with 20 points on 7/14 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and an assist in the win.
• In his Golden Bears debut, sophomore Matt Houde would drop 14 points on 5/8 shooting, including 2/2 from deep, to help WNE power past Wentworth.
• The Golden Bears held the lead for the entirety of the game, with no lead changes occurring in the contest.
• Cody Palazzesi (14), and Brian Geitner (11) also contributed double digits in scoring. Palazzesi records his third double-digit scoring game, while Geitner picks up his second of the year.
• WNE turned the ball over just six times in the game, while Wentworth recorded eight.
• Sam Goy led WIT in scoring with 23 points in the losing effort.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to the University of Hartford on Thursday, January 4, at 7:30 p.m. for non-conference counting action.