Men's Hoop can't stop slide in 85-65 loss to Owls

Westfield, MA- The Westfield State men's basketball team snapped a five game skid as they rolled past the MCLA Trailblazers 85-65 tonight in a MASCAC matchup at the Woodward Center.  The Owls improve to 6-13 and are now 3-5 in the conference.  They swept the season series from the Trailblazers.

MCLA is now 2-17 after suffering their tenth straight loss.  They are 0-8 in the MASCAC.

Westfield placed six players in double figures led by Shane Pasquantonio and Allister Williams who each had 17 points.  Pasquantonio completed the double double with 10 boards.  Marcus Collins added 13 points and Jesus Sanchez had 12.  Jose Allen ended with 10 points for the Owls in the win.

Westfield controlled the opening half of play and found themselves up 41-26 at halftime.  The lead would balloon to 59-40 before MCLA mounted a rally.  The Trailblazers would embark on a 9-0 spurt to close to 59-49 with nine minutes left to play.  They eventually would trim it to single digits at 63-54 after a Keiland Cross free throw with 7:10 left.

MCLA had chances to cut further into the deficit, however the Owl defense held allowing them to go on a 7-0 spurt started by Sanchez' three point play and they would bump back out to a commanding 70-54 lead with under five minutes left.

MCLA would not threaten the rest of the way as the lead remained in double figures.

The Trailblazers were led by Keiland Cross' team high of 18 points, 16 of which came in the second half.  Joe Wiggins would finish with 16 points while Tyler McKay was a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc to end with 13 points.  Joe Murray finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

Westfield shot 51% in the win compared to just 37% for MCLA.  The Owls also held a commanding 45-28 edge off the glass.

The Trailblazers are back in action at home on Saturday as they host Salem State at 1pm.