Box Score

WESTFIELD, Mass. - Senior Ryan Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.) and juniors Marlon Bennett (Stratford, Conn.) and Jessy Michaud (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) each scored 10 points in Nichols College's 80-68 win at Westfield State University in non-conference men's basketball action Monday night.

Sophomore Jalen Hurst (East Hartford, Conn.) and freshman Taylor Sarette (Keene, N.H. ) added nine points each as the Bison won their fourth-straight to move to 9-4 on the season. The loss drops the Owls to 8-6.\

Nichols – which entered the spirited non-conference matchup averaging 80.7 points per game – only committed seven turnovers and outscored Westfield 33-0 from three-point range. The Bison were 11-for-27 from beyond the arc with seven players draining threes. Westfield was 0-for-13 from three-point range. 

Despite their long distance shooting woes, the Owls shot well from inside the arc (24-for-43) and canned 20 of 28 free throws to stay within striking distance of the Bison. 

Nichols led by single digits for most of the game before pulling away with a 14-4 scoring spurt in the final four minutes. The Bison took the lead for good, 11-10 at the 13:37 mark, when sophomore Gustave Koumare (Harlem, N.Y.) converted a steal into a layup. Nichols biggest first-half lead was eight points and it led at the break, 33-29.

The teams continued to trade baskets for most of the second half with Westfield closing within two or three points numerous times. A jumper by Westfield sophomore reserve forward Brian Foley cut the Nichols lead to two points, 66-64, with 5:01 remaining. The Owls had two chances to tie the score or take the lead but they committed two turnovers. 

With Westfield committing four more turnovers (the Owls had 24 for the game), Nichols then scored 10-straight points to grab a 76-64 lead with 1:10 remaining. 

Westfield junior forward Grant Cooper had game highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes of action. He scored a career-high 26 points in an 88-74 setback to Nichols last season. Cooper was 8-of-13 from the field and 8-of-12 from the foul line and dished out five assists. 

Also scoring in double figures for Westfield were senior center Carl Stewart (11 points, nine rebounds) and Foley (11 points). The Owls outrebounded the Bison, 46-24, with 18 coming off the offensive glass.

Nichols plays at Endicott Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Owls play at Salem State Saturday at 3 p.m.

Contributions from Westfield State sports information