Posted: Jan 06, 2018
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Westfield State's sophomore guard Moody Bey (Springfield / Monson) paced six players in double figures with a career high 26 point effort as the visiting Owls ran past the MCLA Trailblazers 104-87 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opener at the Amsler Campus Center Gym Saturday afternoon.
The Owls improve to 7-7 and are now 1-0 in the conference. The Trailblazers fall to 3-8 and are 0-1 in the MASCAC.
Bey was 8-15 from the floor and filled the stat sheet with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He scored 16 points in the closing half of play.
The Owls led 42-34 at the half and quickly moved out to a sizeable 16 point lead in the second half. Each time Westfield would extend, MCLA would go on a spurt and stay in it. They would cut it to 7 points twice late, but Bey connected on a dagger three and the Owls would increase their lead back to double digits as MCLA was forced to foul in the final minutes of play.
Owls' junior Marcus Collins (Cambridge / Rindge & Latin) had a strong game ending with 20 points and completing the double double with 11 rebounds. He chipped in with four assists and three steals. Junior teammate Peter Mafo (Lynn / Lynn Classical) scored 15 points before fouling out as he went 7-12 from the floor.
Westfield State's senior Allister Williams (Boston / Bedford) netted 12 points as did freshman Ty Sands (Waterbury, Conn. / Kennedy). Sophomore Anthony Reynolds (Springfield / Cathedral) rounded out the Owls' scoring with ten points.
MCLA was paced by Joe Wiggins' team best 17 point effort. Keiland Cross added 15 points for the Trailblazers. Ki-Shawn Monroe notched 13 points while Noah Yearsley added 11 in the loss.
The Owls shot a torrid 55% in the game, including a 61% clip in the decisive second half of play. Westfield went 8-17 from three point range in the win.
Westfield State will host Bridgewater State in a conference match on January 13th at 3:00 p.m. The Trailblazers are back in action and continue MASCAC play on January 10th when they head to Bridgewater State.