Westfield, MA --- Westfield State senior Chris Jurkowski (Belchertown, MA) scored a career-high 30 points to rally Westfield State to a 73-65 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's basketball action this evening.

Westfield is 5-10 overall and 1-1 in the conference while Worcester falls to 2-12 and 0-2 in the MASCAC.

Jurkowski was perfect from 3-point range (5 for 5) and the foul line (5 for 5) in leading the Owls from a 40-31 halftime deficit. The Owl captain scored 23 of his points in the second half, including four three-point baskets, to power Westfield to a 42-25 edge in the final 20 minutes.

Westfield's biggest deficit was 10 points, 48-38, with 15:45 remaining in the game. Sparked by Jurkowski's shooting and a relentless trapping defense, the Owls chipped away at the Lancer lead.

Westfield tied the score 51-51 when Jurkowski converted an old fashioned 3-point play with 10:19 remaining. The Owls took the lead for good, 60-59, on a Jurkowski 3-pointer with 6:32 remaining.

Westfield iced the victory when Jurkowski drained his final trey and senior Jesse Benoit (Granby, MA) rammed in a baseline dunk for a 68-61 advantage with 2:09 remaining.

Worcester closed with three, 68-65, but the Owls canned five free throws, including three from freshman Andrew Morgan (Somerset, NJ), in the final minute.

Benoit was Westfield's only other player in double figures with 12 points; he also grabbed seven rebounds. Westfield 6-7 sophomore Matt Devine (Pembroke, MA) struggled offensively, scoring only six points, but he racked team highs of 12 rebounds, five assists, six blocked shots and two steals.

Junior Clayton Timas (New Bedford, MA) posted huge numbers for the Lancers with 22 points and 18 rebounds. He was the only player to score in double figures for Worcester, which outrebounded Westfield, 48-37.

Senior Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, MA) and freshman Emmanuel Ferraud (Worcester, MA/South) also contributed eight points apiece while sophomore Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA/Belmont) chipped in with nine points and four boards.

The Lancers were only 2 for 6 from 3-point land and 17 for 32 from the foul line. Westfield shot 7 for 20 from international waters and 16 for 23 from the charity stripe.

Release Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information