Four Starters Score in Double Figures as Men’s Basketball Comes up With Big 88-81 OT Win Over Suffolk University

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 22, 2022) – The Western New England men's basketball team came out with an 88-81 victory over the Suffolk University Rams on Saturday afternoon from the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center after seeing the Golden Bears outshoot Suffolk 10-3 in the OT session, while five Golden Bears picked up at least ten points in the contest. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-8 (4-4 CCC)
• Suffolk University: 11-4 (6-3 CCC)

How it Happened:

Both the Golden Bears and Rams played an even 40 minutes through the end of the second half, with Western New England recording the first basket of the game off a hook shot from Tim Restall to get the Golden Bears rolling. Brian Geitner would add a jumper of his own to give the Golden Bears a quick 4-0 lead on the Rams early in the first half. Western New England's defense would shut down the Rams offense, allowing Suffolk just nine points through four minutes of play. Suffolk, however, would catch fire with 15 minutes to play in the first half as the Rams lead would touch as many as seven. WNE would battle back to just a one-point deficit, thanks to a Mookie Lester layup with 11:43 still to play in the half. 

The Golden Bears continued to work the offensive glass, coming up with nine offensive boards in the first 20 minutes of play. The Golden Bears would find themselves down by as many as ten in the half, though a run of 13-3 with two minutes left to play got the Golden Bears the lead back off a made layup from Kenny Flynn, along with a foul and free throw, giving WNE the 34-33 lead. Restall would lead the Golden Bears in the first half with eight points, while Jake Harrison put together six points and six rebounds. Flynn would credit seven points and three boards in the half for WNE. Suffolk's Keenan Robertson cashed in a game high nine points for the Rams in the half while none of the Rams were able to grab more than two rebounds in the half. 

Alex Sikorski would start the second half off for Western New England by knocking down a three-point shot on an assist from Geitner to extend WNE's lead. Suffolk would go back and forth with the Golden Bears as the team's headed to within 13 minutes to play in the half. With just over 11 minutes left to go, Sikorski would send home a thunderous dunk to lift the crowd and the Golden Bears to a four-point edge. Sikorski's dunk would be followed by a block from Geitner to keep the energy following for Western New England. Suffolk's Conor Creane would cash home a deep ball to put the Rams down just one point and on the next possession of the game, Suffolk would bank two free throws to go up by a point.

Western New England would grab their biggest lead of the half at six points after a Harrison made layup with 6:48 to play. Suffolk would cut the Golden Bears lead down to one, though another dunk, this time by Flynn would give momentum back to the Golden Bears. Western New England held a four-point lead after a Restall three pointer with 1:38 to play in the second half, though Suffolk would convert on four free throws down the stretch to send the game into overtime. 

In the overtime frame, both teams would exchange buckets with Restall knocking down two free throws, followed by a made three point shot from Aidan Sullivan for Suffolk as they retook the lead 81-80. A made baskek from Flynn with 2:36 to go gave WNE the four-point lead. Western New England's defense would stand tall for the OT frame, allowing just three points to the Rams. WNE would convert on 6-9 free throws in the extra period, icing the game and taking the win over Suffolk University by a final score of 88-81. 

Inside the Arc:

• Western New England, who lost to Suffolk 100-62 earlier this season, knocked down seven three-point shots and shot 43.4% from the field on the afternoon. WNE went 15-21 at the free throw line, converting clutch free throws down the stretch to take down the Rams. 
• WNE would out rebound Suffolk 53-30, including 20-6 on the offensive glass. 
• Alex Sikorski (24 points), Brian Geitner (22 points), Tim Restall (14 points), Kenny Flynn (13 ponts) and Jake Harrison (10 points) all scored in double figures for WNE in the win. Restall collected his fifth consecutive double-double, as he ripped down 12 rebounds for WNE. Harrison collected his first double-double of the season with ten rebounds to go along with his ten points. 
• Suffolk shot 44.6% from the field, including 9-22 from distance. Four of their five starters and five total players collected 10+ points in the losing effort. Nate Hale would finish with 18 points to lead all Suffolk scorers. 
• WNE picks up their first OT win of the season after previously losing their first two on the road, including last time out at Nichols College. Suffolk drops their first OT game of the year in their first OT game played. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE is back at home on Tuesday, January 25 to host Corry College (2-14, 1-8 CCC) at 7:30 pm. 
• Suffolk University hosts Gordon College (7-8, 4-6 CCC) at 7:30 pm on the same date.