The Western New England University men’s basketball team started off slow during Saturday’s Commonwealth Coast Conference contest with Curry College, but the Golden Bears were able to find their rhythm midway through the first half and pull out a victory 65-56.
Golden Bear co-captain Nick DeFeo finished the first half with 18, leading all scorers with a game-high 24 points. DeFeo got hot in the first half hitting six three-pointers in a row, which sparked the comeback. He finished with eight from long range.
“Everything I was shooting felt great. My legs were feeling good and my teammates were able to find me for open shots. Once the first went down, I knew I was going to be able to get a few more,” said DeFeo.
The CCC’s leading scorer, Curry’s Antonio Jones, put up a team high 23 points for the Colonials, however, with the help of transfer sophomore, Mike Gelineau, and co-captain, Musa Elsir the Golden Bear’s were able to get stops when they needed them.
Gelineau added 18 points, none bigger than a three pointer to stop the bleeding with just about a minute left in the game. Elsir contributed by playing strong defense and putting up 11 points.
“We beat Curry earlier in the season so we knew we had the ability to do it again, it just depended on who wanted it more. After a slow start we started to realize where we could score against their zone. Shots started falling, we played solid defense and pulled out the win, “ said Elsir.
With the victory on Saturday, the Golden Bears swept the Curry Colonials in the regular season and make them .500 in conference at 6-6, 8-11 overall.
Elsir added, “It’s a huge win because now were back to .500 and fifth place in the conference. We’re one game out of having a home playoff game, which we haven’t had in a long time.”
After going into half up 35-26, the Golden Bears stretched their lead going up 20 with 13 minutes left in the second half.
The visiting Colonials were able to chip away a bit late in the second half and with a few missed free throws down the stretch, Curry was able to get within six with a minute left in the game.
However, on a made three by Gelineau on the following possession and a defensive rebound by the Golden Bears, they were able to dribble out the clock and preserve the nine-point victory.
As a team, the Golden Bear’s shot 14-35 from long range and 24-58 overall from the field.
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