KEENE, N.H. - Senior
Tayejon Lynch (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) and sophomore
Marcel Henry (Yonkers, N.Y.) combined for 43 points, but the visiting Western Connecticut State Unversity Wolves suffered an 84-80 setback against the Keene State College Owls in Little East Conference (LEC) men's basketball action this afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium. WestConn loses for the first time in seven games and only the second time in its last 16 games, but both defeats came against the Owls. The Wolves are now 17-6 overall and 10-4 in the LEC, while Keene State improves to 13-10 overall and 9-5 in the league. WestConn will visit conference foe Rhode Island College next on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
WestConn jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first 6:30 of the game and led, 19-6, at the nine-minute mark of the first half on a three-pointer by sophomore guard
Nicholas Moore (Amherst, N.Y.). The Owls went on an 18-4 heading into halftime and led, 28-27, at the break on a pair of free throws by Jordan Cooper. The teams stayed within three points of each other over the first seven minutes of the second half before an 11-0 Wolves run made the score, 60-49, with 10:09 on the clock.
A lynch layup increased the Wolves lead to 13 points at 66-53 with 8:10 remaining in the game, but Keene State used a 19-6 run to tie the game at 74-74 with 1:15 left on a trey by Liam Johnston.Keene State went ahead, 80-75, but Lynch made three free throws to pull WestConn to within two points with 41 seconds left. Wolves freshman
Avery Taitt-Christina (Far Rockaway, N.Y.) made a tip-in with three seconds on the clock but the Owls were 4-for-4 from the foul line down the stretch to secure the win.
Lynch was 8-for-14 from the floor and added three rebounds, a game-high six assists, and two steals to his 22 points. Henry totaled 21 points, making eight of 16 shots from the floor, and had four rebounds. Wolves junior guard
Elijah Jean-Guillaume (New Haven, Conn.) had 10 points, eight rebounds, a block, and five steals. Cooper poured in 30 points for the Owls.
