WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University men's basketball suffered a 74-65 setback to the visiting Saxons of Alfred University in the season opener on Saturday afternoon in the Woodward Center.
After the Owls secured an early 4-0 lead, Alfred rattled off a 26-2 run three minutes into the game and never looked back.
Sam Dagon (Hornell, NY/ Hornell) registered the first basket for the Saxons, grabbed a steal then promptly drained a three pointer to start things. Dragon finished with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Brewster Marshall (Horseheads, NY/ Horseheads) chipped in nine of his game-high 18 points over that stretch. Marshall also grabbed seven rebounds in the win.
The Owl deficit swelled to 23 points early in the second half before they began to chip away. Vawn Lord (West Springfield/ Springfield) scored 13 of his team leading 17 points in the second frame.
Brendon Hamilton (Worcester/ Worcester Tech) grabbed seven boards, registered three blocked shots and eight points in the set back. Bahu Abdul-Wadud (Springfield/ Monson) added nine points and was 5-7 from the floor.
Both teams return to action next weekend in a pair of home tournaments. The Owls host the Rick Martin/ Hampton Inn Tournament on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. The Owls take on Utica in the opener at 5:30 p.m. with RPI and Rutgers-Newark playing the nightcap. Alfred will host SUNY Cobleskill on Friday at 5:00 p.m. in their Special Tee's Tipoff Classic.