BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Stephen Azums' (Hyde Park, Mass.) three-point play with 19 seconds left in overtime snapped a 64-all tie and lifted the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team to a 67-64 win over Western New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference action Tuesday night.
With the win the Leopards improve to 14-10 overall and 10-7 in CCC play while the Golden bears fall to 10-14 (6-11).
Western New England jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the opening 1:48 of the contest, capped off by a layup from freshman Zach Tavitian (Milford, Conn.). Wentworth used a 10-3 run, capped off by a three from senior Jason Ganley (Northbridge, Mass.) to take a 13-12 lead. Junior Mikey Pettway (Bridgeport, Conn.) gave the visitors the lead back with a layup on the Golden Bears' next possession, however, the Black & Gold outscored Western New England 9-3 over the next 7:52 and led, 21-16, after a Ganley layup.
A Tavitian layup capped off a 6-1 spurt and evened the score at 22-all with 2:17 remaining before two free throws apiece from Ganley and senior Cesar Fulcar (Watertown, Mass.) gave the hosts a 26-22 lead. Freshman EJ Day (Norwalk, Conn.) hit a layup with 52 seconds left and hit two free throws 26 seconds later to tie the game at 26-all.
The Golden Bears opened the second half on a 14-1 run and held the Leopards without a field goal for the first 5:52 of the frame before Fulcar drained a three to make it 40-30. Sophomore Tim Reilly (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) gave Western New England a 43-30 lead after he hit a shot from behind the arc on the next possession, however, Wentworth clawed its way back into the game by using a 14-1 run and evened the score at 44-all on a three from senior Ben Kizel (Short Hills, N.J.) with just under 10 minutes to play.
Western New England took a five-point (52-47) lead with 5:25 left after Day converted a layup, however, Ganley scored the next five points, tying the contest at 52-all with 4:37 to play. Tavitian and Azms traded baskets and a pair of free throws from junior Zach Bergeon (Litchfield, N.H.) gave Wentworth a 56-54 lead with 1:47 remaining. A layup from Pettway tied the score at 56-all with 17 seconds left. Wentworth turned the ball over with seven second left but the game-winning three-point attempt from Pettway missed, sending the game into overtime
The Golden Bears led by four on three occasions in the extra session, including when Petway hit a jumper with 1:38 remaining. On Wentworth's next possession, Azums pulled the hosts within a pair and, a field goal attempt was missed, senior Michael Boaheng (Worcester, Mass.) tied the game with a pair of free throws with a minute remaining.
A missed three pointer gave Wentworth the ball back, setting up Azums to convert the layup and hit the free throw to give the Leopards a 67-64 lead. Western New England had one last chance, however, Reillys three-point attempt missed and Fulcar grabbed the rebound as time expired.
Ganley led all scorers with a season-high 31 points as he was 10-for-12 from the floor. Azums and Fulcar had nine points apiece, with Fulcar also dishing our five assists and recording four steals.
Pettway led the Golden Bears with 23 points to go along with five assists. Tavitian added 15 points and 13 rebounds while Day had 14 points and three steals.
Wentworth closes out the regular season on Saturday at first-place Nichols.
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