Last Second Shot Lifts Men's Basketball Over Westfield State

Westfield, Mass. – Junior guard Marcus Mclaurin (Braintree, Mass.) poured in 33 points, including the game-winning shot with 2.7 seconds remaining, to rally Framingham State University to an 81-79 victory over Westfield State University on Saturday, Jan 22.

The Rams, who trailed by 14 points in the opening minute of the second half, improved to 3-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference and 6-9 overall. Westfield is 1-3 and 5-12.

The Owls bolted to a 46-34 halftime lead as they rattled the Rams with their fullcourt pressure. Led by a balanced scoring attack, Westfield outscored Framingham, 20-9, in the final seven minutes of the first half.

The Owls scored the first bucket of the second half to take its biggest lead, 48-34, and led by as many as 12, 52-40, with 16:31 remaining. But Westfield began missing its shots (the Owls did shoot 48 percent from the field but only 6 for 23 from 3-point range) and Framingham's quick guard tandem of Mclaurin and senior guard Royce Veal (Dorchester, Mass.) began to take control.

Framingham took its first second-half lead, 61-60, on a 3-point basket by Anthony Pappagallo (Malden, Mass.) with 8:02 remaining. Westfield took its final lead, 70-68, on a 3-pointer from Chris Jurkowski (Belchertown, Mass.) with 3:04 remaining. But the Rams regained the lead a minute later, 72-70, on a Mclaurin jumper.

Framingham held a 78-74 lead with 23 seconds remaining when Westfield rallied to tie the score at 79-all. Owl freshman guard Andrew Morgan nailed a 3-point basket from the top of the key. After Framingham's Tyrone Figueroa (Revere, Mass.) made one of two free throws, Morgan was fouled driving to the basket. He canned both free throws to tie the score at 79-79 with 12 seconds remaining.

Mclauren then delivered his game-winning shot with 2.7 seconds remaining, a 17-footer from straight on. However, Morgan almost won it for the Owls as his buzzer beater from just beyond midcourt hit the front of the rim.

Framingham shot 51 percent from the field led by Mclaurin, who was 14 for 21. Veal had a fine all around performance with 21 points and game-highs of nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Morgan led Westfield's balanced attack with 16 points. Sophomore center Matt Devine (Pembroke – 11 points, 12 rebounds) and senior forward Jesse Benoit (Granby, MA – 12 points, 11 rebounds) both posted double-doubles. Eugene Turner (Lynn) scored 10 points followed by Chris Jurkowski (Belchertown) and Eric Vargas (Lowell) with nine points apiece.

Release courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information.