Restall, Harrison Lead Charge in 79-70 Win over Suffolk

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 15, 2023) – Western New England's men's basketball team had their final regular season home game against the Suffolk Rams where the Golden Bears had to fight out a win against the Rams 79-70.

Records:

• Western New England: 19-5, 14-3 CCC
• Suffolk University: 15-9, 10-7 CCC

How It Happened: The game was a battle from the start with the Rams putting in the first layup and Jake Harrison immediately did the same for the Golden Bears. He also hit a three and Tim Restall added a layup for 7-2 score. The Rams had it back within two quickly with a three-point shot, and then tied the game and took the lead. Brian Geitner retook it with one from deep, 12-11. The teams exchanged lead changes again until Ryan Michaels nailed a three for WNE and Gavin Greene put in a jumpshot. The next two made baskets for the Golden Bears were threes, Mike Resnick with one and Michaels with another, score 23-17. Suffolk still hanging in this ballgame took the lead with a layup, a jumper, and a three. Two more lead changes, but the Rams held theirs until the end of the half. A couple more threes for Suffolk gave them a small advantage for the score to be 35-33, Rams.

The Golden Bears tied it up out the half. The teams both hit threes and then it was a layup battle. WNE finally got a stop to get three buckets in a row from Harrison, Restall, and Greene to take a lead of 46-42. The game still close, the Rams drove it in for two-points, Restall answered with a hoop. Suffolk brought the lead down to three, after a three-point jumper which brought on a WNE run in the last 10 minutes. Resnick made a jump shot, Restall made a trip the basket, and Nate Kasper had a nice cut to the middle for two, score 56-47 Golden Bears. The Rams put two in on the foul line and Restall dunked it down to keep the Golden Bears on top eight. Suffolk kept coming back knocking in shots. WNE had a 10-point lead in the last five minutes with Geitner hitting a jump shot and Restall with a layup, 69-59. They maintained their composure to close it out in the lead even after a late three shot in by the Rams, The Golden Bears won 79-70.

On the Floor:

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot 49.2 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from the three, and 80.0 percent from the foul line while gathering 34 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals, and two blocks.
• The Rams shot 47.3 percent from the hardwood, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 76.9 percent from the free throw line while tallying 29 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and one block.
• The Golden Bears were led by Tim Restall who had 24 points four rebounds, and two assists. He was 9-13 from inside the paint and 6-8 from the free-throw line.
• Jake Harrison contributed with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.

Up Next: The Golden Bears have their final regular season game this Saturday, February 18, battling the Gordon College Fighting Scots for a 3 p.m. tipoff.