SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior guard Chris Pinsonault (Marlboro, MA) scored 30 points as the Anna Maria men's basketball team ran its winning streak to nine games with a 72-65 decision over host Western New England Wednesday night (Feb. 16) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Pinsonault connected on 12-of-20 field-goal attempts (including three three-pointers), made all three charity shots, abd came up with three steals.

Sophomore guard Anthony Click (Springfield, MA) netted 13 of his 14 points in the second half for the AMCATS who are 17-7 overall and 11-1 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference.

Senior forward Derek Johnson (Worcester, MA) added eight points and 10 rebounds while junior forward Brad Peterson (North Kingston, RI) also had eight points with nine rebounds and three blocks.

Anna Maria held a 33-23 halftime lead before the Golden Bears cut the margin to 38-35 following a pair of free throws by senior center Conor Lomas (Wilbraham, MA) with 15:30 left in the contest.

Western New England (4-20, 3-9 TCCC) was still in the game trailing by only five (48-43) before the AMCATS used a 12-3 run to go ahead 60-46 after a free throw by junior guard Kevin McGee (Springfield, MA) at the 5:44 mark.

Anna Maria upped its margin 64-51 when Click sank a pair of free throws with 2:32 left and the Golden Bears got no closer than seven after that.

Sophomore guard Damon Alston (New Britain, CT) led Western New England with 19 points.

Junior guard Andre Shaw (New York, NY) tossed in 16 points and had seven rebounds. Lomas finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Freshman guard Ryan Mickiewicz (East Longmeadow, MA) also netted nine points with five rebounds and four assists.

This was the team's Play-for-a-Cause night as the Golden Bears distributed pamphlets raising awareness about the dangers of AIDS.