Lord, Green Power Owls Past Fitchburg State, 88-71

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State men's basketball got 27 points from Jauch Green, Jr. (Hartford, Conn./Cromwell) and 25 from Vawn Lord (West Springfield, Mass./Amherst) as the Owls rolled to an 88-71 MASCAC win over Fitchburg State on Thursday evening.

Westfield jumped out to a 47-38 halftime lead, and led by as many as 23 in the second half. 

The Owls shot 53 percent from the floor in the opening half in building the big lead, while limiting the Falcons to just 31 percent from the floor and 1-7 from three-point range.

Freshman forward Brendon Hamilton (Worcester, Mass./Tech) played a key role in the Owls defensive effort with six blocked shots and 12 rebounds, and handed out five assists, many on fast-break outlets.  The Owls scored 23 points in transition to the Falcons four.

Lord finished 10-19 from the floor and grabbed 13 rebounds.   Green was 10-16 from the floor and 6-9 at the foul line, and grabbed seven rebounds.  Malik Pouncy (Mattapan, Mass./Springfield Commonwealth Acad.) added 17 points and six rebounds.

Fitchburg was led by 18 points form Xavier Betancourt, and got 17 points from Tayjaun McKenzie.

Westfield improves to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the MASCAC, while Fitchburg is now 7-9 and 1-2 in the league.

Westfield State is back in action to finish a three-game week with a league matchup at Bridgewater State on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.