Owls Soar Past Keystone, 102-80

Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State men's basketball team (9-2) defeated Keystone State, 102-80, in the tournament opening game at the York College Invitational on Friday night.

The Owls buried a season-high 15 three pointers to distance the lead multiple times throughout the game. After a hot start for the Owls, the Giants cut down Westfield's lead to four points midway through the first half. The Owls responded empathetically on back-to-back-to-back triples by sophomore Kuany Teng (Manchester, N.H.), and two by junior JT Thompson (Columbia, S.C.) to send the lead back to double figures.

In the second half, a lay-up by junior Brendon Hamilton (Worcester, Mass.) capped off a 23-8 run to swell the lead up to 25 points, the largest lead of the night.

Teng connected on six of eight threes and shot an efficient eight of ten from the floor for 22 points. Senior Justin Rennis (Springfield, Mass.) also scored 22 and added eight rebounds. Hamilton pulled down his seventh double-double of the season, posting 20 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Hamilton has pulled down 11 or more rebounds in ten of eleven games this season. Thompson compiled 18 points and four triples. The Owls starting five combined for 84 of the 102 points scored in the game.

Giants' guards Tone Cockrell and Jack Anderson each scored 23 points for Keystone.

The Owls dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Giants by 16 including 20 offensive rebounds which led to 23 second-chance points. Westfield State connected on 38 of 77 attempts (49.4%) while Keystone shot 31 of 65 from the field (47.7%).

Westfield State will carry a four game winning streak into the championship game tomorrow at 3:00 P.M. as the Owls will face the winner of St. Joseph's College of Brooklyn or the host team York College.