WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward Chris Jurkowski (Belchertown) scored a career-high 30 points to rally Westfield State University to a 73-65 victory over Worcester State University in men's basketball Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Westfield is 5-10 overall and 1-1 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Worcester falls to 2-12 and 0-2.

Jurkowski was perfect from 3-point range (5 for 5) and the foul line (5 for 5) in leading the Owls from a 40-31 halftime deficit. The 6-4 Owl captain scored 23 of his points in the second half, including four 3-point baskets, to power Westfield to a 42-25 edge in the final 20 minutes.

Westfield's biggest deficit was 10 points, 48-38, with 15:45 remaining in the game. Sparked by Jurkowski's shooting and a relentless trapping defense, the Owls chipped away at the Lancer lead.

Westfield tied the score 51-all when Jurkowski converted an old fashioned 3-point play with 10:19 remaining. The Owls took the lead for good, 60-59, on a Jurkowski 3-pointer with 6:32 remaining.

Westfield basically iced the victory when Jurkowski drained his final trey and senior forward Jesse Benoit (Granby, MA) rammed in a baseline dunk for a 68-61 advantage with 2:09 remaining.

Worcester closed with three, 68-65, but the Owls canned five free throws, including three from freshman point guard Andrew Morgan (Somerset, NJ), in the final minute.

Benoit was Westfield's only other player in double figures with 12 points; he also grabbed seven rebounds. Westfield 6-7 sophomore center Matt Devine (Pembroke) struggled offensively, scoring only six points, but he racked team highs of 12 rebounds, five assists, six blocked shots, and two steals.

Junior forward Clayton Timas (New Bedford) – a transfer from Bristol Community College – posted huge numbers for the Lancers with 22 points and 18 rebounds. He was the only player to score in double figures for Worcester, which outrebounded Westfield, 48-37.

The Lancers were only 2 for 6 from 3-point land and 17 for 32 from the foul line. Westfield shot 7 for 20 from international waters and 16 for 23 from the charity stripe.