Geitner's Six Three-Pointers 24 points Help Golden Bears Defeat Salve Regina

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 11, 2023) – Western New England's men's basketball team, returned to conference play, where they faced the Salve Regina University Seahawks. The Golden Bears defeated the Seahawks 82-67.

Records:

• Western New England: 18-5, 13-3 CCC
• Salve Regina: 9-14, 7-9 CCC

How It Happened: The first half was a competitive one with Salve Regina putting up the first basket. Tim Restall took it in to even it up, the Seahawks nailed a three, and then Cody Palazzeli did the same for WNE. They had their first lead with free-throws from Restall and a layup from Gavin Greene, 9-5. Salve got it back within one, and Geitner swooshed a three to create separation. The Seahawks answered with a layup, and the Golden Bears went on a six-point run, 19-11. By the halfway point in the first, Salve was trailing four and then Restall went to the hole. He got the Golden Bears' lead up to eight with two trips to the foul line. At the five-minute mark, Mike Resnick had a layup that brought them into a double-digit lead 33-22, and the Seahawks cut to two-points with a three and a couple of layups and foul shots. The score at halftime was 35-33.

Out of the break, Salve Regina tied up the score with a drive to the basket. The Golden Bears answered with a huge run. Restall took it in, Geitner added a layup after some missed shots, and then Greene laid it in as well. Jake Harrison shot two in on the free-throw line and a bucket for WNE to be on top 47-35. They allowed the Seahawks to gain six-points, starting with a three, and Greene followed with a three. After Salve got within seven, Geitner made it 10 with a three-pointer. The Golden Bears had a heat check with Resnick and Geitner pulling threes. Geitner contributed an extra jumper, score 61-47, 11:11, Golden Bears. The Seahawks kept creeping below the 10-point deficit until two threes knocked in by Geitner and one by Ryan Michaels gave the Golden Bears the lead they needed 72-54. Geitner made one more three for WNE before the end of the game. In the final three minutes, the Golden Bears had a 20-point lead 82-62 with a Nate Kasper layup. Salve hit a three and a layup in the last 30 seconds. The Golden Bears won 82-67.

On the Floor:

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot 54.9 percent from the floor, 47.6 percent from the three, and 66.7 percent from the foul line while gathering 36 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals, and flour blocks.
• The Seahawks shot 50.0 percent from the hardwood, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 41.7 percent from the free throw line while tallying 25 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals, and one block.
• The Golden Bears were led by Brian Geitner who had 24 points and four assists. He was 9-14 from inside the paint and 6-9 from beyond the arc.
• Tim Restall contributed with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Jake Harrison had five assists and four steals.

Up Next: The Golden Bears are back in the AHLC Wednesday, February 15, for their last home game of the regular season against the Suffolk University Rams at 7:30 p.m.