MCLA falters in second half against Westfield, fall to Owls 81-70

North Adams, MA- The Westfield State men's basketball team rallied from a halftime deficit and eventually pulled away from the MCLA Trailblazers to earn a hard fought 81-70 MASCAC victory. The Owls remain unbeaten in conference play (11-5, 5-0 MASCAC) while MCLA suffers their second straight defeat (5-12, 2-3 MASCAC).

Westfield placed five players in double figures led by Robby Jones' team best 17 points.  Grant Cooper scored 15 points, while Dan Johnson (11), Dan Tessier (10), and Jose Allen (10) all ended in double digits.

MCLA was paced by Adam Conquest's game high 22 points.  Ruben DelRosario added 15, while Paul Maurice ended with 11.

The Trailblazers controlled much of the first half and when they outscored the Owls 13-4 to close the opening period of play, they held a 38-29 edge over the visitors.  Then, in the opening minutes of the second half, MCLA took their largest lead when Conquest converted in the lane giving the hosts a 42-31 lead with 18:13 left to play.

From there, the Owls took over.  They used an 8-0 spurt to pull within three at 42-39 bookended by a pair of Johnson triples to give the Owls life.  Westfield eventually tied the game at 44 on another Johnson trey.  On the ensuing Trailblazer possession, they made 1 of 2 from the line to go back in front, however Jones' jumper with 11:27 left gave the Owls the lead for keeps.

The Owls pushed out to lead by as many as seven on numerous possessions, however MCLA would answer and then get within one on a three pointer from Careem Kirksey with 7:19 left. Westfield answered with four straight points to lead by five and then held off the Trailblazers in the final minutes due to some key free throw shooting.  The Owls went 11-12 from the charity stripe in the final two minutes to earn the MASCAC win.

Jones went 6-14 from the floor for his 17 points.  Cooper was just 5-13 shooting, but added 7 rebounds and 5 assists before fouling out.  Westfield shot 45% from the floor and went 23-30 from the line.  They also forced MCLA into 17 turnovers.

Conquest went 11-18 from the floor for his 22 points. He was just a rebound shy of a double double collecting 9.  DelRosario went 9-11 from the free throw line for his 15 points.  

The Trailblazers shot a solid 52% in the first half, but was held to just 31% shooting in the decisive half.  

MCLA will host Salem State on Tuesday, while the Owls will challenge Fitchburg State.