Owls Sting Hornets for Record-Setting, 133-Point Performance

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State men's basketball set four single-game program records in today's victory, two of which were longstanding marks that have lasted for over 50 years including the school record for most points scored in a game, as the Owls tallied 133 points to cruise to a 133-81 win over Vermont State Lyndon in a non-conference game from Lyndon, Vermont on Saturday afternoon.

The Owls flew past the previous scoring record which was set 54 years ago back in the 1971-72 season where Westfield scored 118 points against Bentley. The 133 points is the most points scored for any men's or women's game in Owls history. 

A prolific shooting game for Westfield resulted in a record-setting half as well with the Owls also topping the program record for most points in a single half, racking up 72 first-half points with 28 made field goals in 44 attempts, headlined by a 16-point, nine-rebound opening 20 minutes from first-year forward Kenneth Rogers, Jr. (Springfield, Mass.). The 72 points in the half topped the previously set mark of 66 points which was scored earlier this season in a 106-69 win over SUNY Cobleskill on November 13.

Westfield continued its relentless scoring punch in the second half, notching 61 points while maintaining a blazing 60.5 percent from the floor to keep their shooting efficiency over 60 percent throughout the entire game (51-84 FG). A pair of free throws from Kaiden James (Windsor, Conn.) set the new single-game record with three minutes left in the game. The 51 made field goals was another program record as a layup from Kaiden James in the closing minute topped the previous mark of 50 made field goals which was also set during the 1971-72 year against New Paltz.

The Owls also consistently attacked the rim and got to the free throw line as a result, knocking down 24 of 35 free throw attempts on the day.

The Owls reached the 133-point plateau with an up-tempo pace, using transition opportunities as a lethal part of their game as Westfield finished with a whopping 42 fast break points and 50 points off turnovers. The Hornets struggled to handle the Owls pressure, forcing a total of 36 Lyndon turnovers which translated into 25 Westfield steals, another program record. Westfield more than doubled the Hornets in the paint, scoring 76 points in the paint to Lyndon's 30.

Westfield set the record in points while also not having a 20-point scorer as the Owls used an incredibly balanced scoring charge with six double-figure scorers, headlined by Rogers, Jr. who scored 19 points and added ten rebounds for his seventh double-double of the campaign. Angel Price-Espada (Cambridge, Mass.) was next in scoring with 16 points on 8-13 shooting, followed by Kaiden James with 15 points. Xavier Lewis (Long Island, N.Y.), A.Z. Allah (Springfield, Mass.), and Jason James (Ansonia, Conn.) were all ten-plus scorers as well for Westfield. 14 Owls players got in the scoring column in the contest.

12 different Owls registered at least one steal with Lid Moreland (Bridgeport, Conn.) leading the defensive attack with a game-high five steals.

Westfield never trailed in the contest, opening up a double-digit lead just 4:46 into the game.

The Owls close the 2024 portion of the season by winning six of their last seven games, advancing to 9-3 on the season while the Hornets fall to 4-7 overall.

Westfield State will head into the winter break and will host their next game on Friday, January 3 as the Owls take on John Jay College at 3:00 P.M.