Westfield State Dominates MCLA in 89-69 Home Victory

WESTFIELD, Mass. – First-year forward Kenneth Rogers, Jr. (Springfield, Mass.) scored a game-high 21 points to lead Westfield State University's men's basketball team to a commanding 89-69 MASCAC victory over MCLA at the Woodward Center on Wednesday night.

The win strengthens the Owls' position atop the MASCAC standings with a 7-1 conference record and improves their overall season record to 17-4.

A.Z. Allah (Springfield, Mass.) contributed 14 points off the bench as the Owls' aggressive defensive strategy proved decisive, forcing 28 turnovers throughout the game and maintaining control from the opening possession.

Westfield State established their dominance early, building a 20-10 lead by the 11:40 mark of the first half. The team's balanced offensive attack featured contributions from multiple players, including Lid Moreland (Bridgeport, Conn.), who knocked down an early three-pointer, and Angel Price-Espada (Cambridge, Mass.), who provided valuable scoring off the bench. The Owls carried a comfortable 43-30 lead into halftime, with Moreland leading the team with nine points at the break.

Though MCLA attempted to rally early in the second half with a 5-0 run, Westfield State quickly regained control through timely scoring from Rogers, Jr. and Kobe Parker (Chicopee, Mass.), who scored nine of his 11 points in the second half. The Owls' full-court pressure continued to disrupt MCLA's offense, leading to numerous fast-break opportunities.

Xavier Lewis (Long Island, NY.) orchestrated the offense effectively and efficiently with a game-high six assists, while Rogers Jr. showcased his all-around game with a team-high seven rebounds and a game-high four steals. Eric Johnson (Houston, Texas.) anchored the defense with a game-high two blocks.

Despite strong individual performances from MCLA's Craig Williams (Dover, DE.) who had a team high 16 points and JoJo Garcia (Henderson, NV.) following with 15 points of his own, the Trailblazers struggled to overcome Westfield's defensive pressure and, in the end, fell to 4-16 overall (2-6 MASCAC). The Owls' efficiency at the free-throw line also played a crucial role in their win, converting 24 of 31 attempts, which helped maintain their lead throughout the contest.

Westfield State looks to continue their strong season on Saturday, February 8th, when they travel to Worcester, Mass to face Worcester State at noon. MCLA will visit Bridgewater State in their next game on Saturday at noon. Fans can follow the action through live scoring and streaming at WestfieldStateOwls.com.

Written by Tom Onorato – Sports Information Intern