Westfield State Upends Fitchburg State, 66-45

Molin grabs a game-best 11 boards in Falcons MASCAC loss to Owls

FITCHBURG, Mass. (January 28, 2014) – The Westfield State men's basketball team took advantage of an 18 point halftime lead to earn their third conference victory of the year, downing Fitchburg State, 66-45 in MASCAC action this evening.

Junior Grant Cooper (Northampton, Mass.) was strong for the visiting Owls, posting a near double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds, while also adding six assists and four steals. Classmate Dan Johnson (Belchertown, Mass.) also collected 18 points with a 4-of-8 effort from beyond the arc, while guard Robby Jones (Chicopee, Mass.) pitched in with eight points, four assists and five steals.

Senior Mike Ingram-Rubin (Boston, Mass.) and sophomore Anthony Muccioli (Nashua) led the Falcons with 13 points apiece, while senior Mo Molin (Brockton, Mass.) brought in a game-high 11 rebounds.

In the first half, Westfield State limited Fitchburg State to just 17 points while shooting 52.2% from the field (12-of-23). The Owls had seven players notch baskets with Johnson leading the way at nine points. Cooper was also a strong 3-of-4 from the floor for eight points, while Jones added nine. Ingram-Rubin scored nine of the Falcons 15 points in the frame.

In the second half, the Owls took over, going up by as much as 27 throughout the period. The Owls continued to shoot well, hitting 11-of-25 attempts (44.0%) from the floor, while adding 18 points in the paint and 12 points off turnovers.

Cooper sparked Westfield State's second half efforts with 10 points and five boards, while Johnson registered nine points with 4-of-4 shooting from the free-throw line. Muccioli touched for 11 points in the second half for the Falcons.

For the game, Fitchburg State finished just 18-of-59 from the field and 3-of-17 from three point range. The Falcons grabbed a 40-35 margin on the glass, but finished just 6-of-14 from the free-throw line. Westfield State didn't fair much better from the charity stripe (15-of-26), but 17 steals and 22 forced turnovers proved to be deadly for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Bridgewater State at 7:30 p.m.