Golden Bears Rip Off Ninth Straight in Thumping of Curry, 89-69

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 14, 2023) – Western New England's men's basketball team hosted the Curry College who they defeated 89-69 and keep their undefeated CCC record going.

Records:

• Western New England: 12-2, 8-0 CCC
• Curry College: 4-11, 2-6 CCC

How It Happened: The basketball game started off competitive with the two teams exchanging baskets for a tied game for about six-minutes of play. It was the Golden Bears who had to even up the score and then take a lead after Cody Palazzeli's free-throws. They continued to increase their lead with a run of 16 points while shutting out Curry for six minutes of the half. Tim Restall had six of those points, and Jake Harrison added five more for a score of 24-9 after being tied at 9-9. Curry hit a layup under the 10-minute mark in the first, and Harrison answered with one of his own plus an extra point from the foul line. Brian Geitner knocked down another three as well to add to the score gap, and Restall had a few more trips to the hole for the Golden Bears to lead by 20, five minutes remaining in the first. Curry put up a three and Geitner shot in his third one of the game. WNE kept it a 20-point ballgame entering halftime, leading Curry 45-25.

Palazzeli got on the three-point wave, knocking one in to start the second half. WNE was put on the foul line a few times, Gavin Greene added a three-pointer to his stats, and Restall still unstoppable going to the basket. The Golden Bears had put up 13 points before Curry scored anything, 58-25, but Curry forced a four-basket run. A layup and another three, this time shot in by Max Jones put WNE ahead 63-33 with 13:26 left in the game. There were some back-and-forth baskets between the two teams. Jones, Harrison, and Mike Resnick added threes all within two minutes of play. The Golden Bears secured a significant lead, almost leading by 40, 80-42. They never let up and defeated Curry 89-69.

On the Floor:

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot 47.8 percent from the floor, 31.0 percent from the three, and 80.0 percent from the foul line while gathering 46 rebounds, 18 assists, six steals, and four blocks.
• Curry shot 49.1 percent from the hardwood, 46.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 42.9 percent from the free throw line while tallying 24 rebounds, 15 assists, and eight steals.
• The Golden Bears lead scorers were Tim Restall and Brian Geitner who both recorded 17. Geitner was 6-14 in field goals and 2-2 from the foul line. Restall 7-14 from the FG and 3-4 on the line.
• Jake Harrison and Tim Restall earned double-doubles. Harrison with 14 points and 10 rebounds and added eight assists. Restall added 13 rebounds.

Up Next: The Golden Bears will be back in the AHLC Wednesday, January 18, for a conference game against the Gordon College Fighting Scots, following the Women's Basketball game. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.