BOSTON, MA (December 16, 2023) – The UMass Boston men's basketball team put up a valiant effort against a red-hot Westfield State University (6-4 before today's game), who won four of their last seven games. Junior guard Emanuel Zayas once again had his way with the defense, leading the way for the Beacons offensively with 22 points.

Zayas led the way offensively, as he was the primary scorer, and playmaker as he dished out seven assists to go with his 22 points. Zayas was supported by sophomores Dominic Shaw, and Carson Meczywor who contributed nine points and eight rebounds each. Along with Zayas, sophomore guard Alex Woolery was creating havoc on the defensive end for the Owls, coming away with four steals each, with Woolery contributing seven points to stamp his fingerprints on both the offensive, and defensive side of the ball. The Beacons put up a great effort on the glass, with five Beacons securing six or more rebounds.

The Beacons lost the tip at the start of the game, and the Owls' Juju Omot initiated scoring as he soared through the Beacons' defense with a rim-grazing dunk.  Zayas was controlling the Beacons' offense by creating his own shot, and dishing out to his teammates for open looks upon drawing in the Owls' double team. 10 minutes into the first half, the Beacons were down but not out, as they found themselves in an 11-19 hole. Three minutes passed, and Zayas connected on a mid-ranger, followed by a three-pointer to cut the deficit to just six with seven minutes remaining. The Owls' Jerome Stephens' three-point connection stretched their lead over the Beacons to 13 with under four and a half minutes remaining. Woolery closed out the first half on a steal to stop the bleeding at ten points going into the halftime break.

The Beacons emphasized their effort on the glass coming out of halftime. The Beacons faced a ten-point deficit and immediately opened the first half securing two offensive rebounds by Shaw and Meczywor to create second-chance opportunities. Five minutes later, the Beacons kept chipping away at the Owls' lead, as a Shaw layup cut the deficit to single digits (33-42). The Owls responded with a deep-range connection that brought the lead back up to 12 to give the Owls a cushion against the Beacons. With eight minutes remaining in the game, the Owls' Brendan Hamilton's offensive board and score stretched the Owls' lead to 14 as they began to run away with the game. The Beacons finished the game scoring 58 points to the Owls' 78 in a valiant effort from the Woodward Center in Westfield, MA.

The Beacons head home for the holiday break and will resume action following the New Year, on Wednesday, January 3 from the Clark Gymnasium against Little East Conference opponents the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 pm. Live stats and video coverage will be available at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).