WESTFIELD, Mass. – Junior point guard Lee Vazquez (Attleboro) poured in a career high 41 points and tied a school record with nine 3-point baskets to power Westfield State University to an 81-59 victory over Worcester State University on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
 
The Owls, who began a four-game homestand, are 13-8 overall and 5-3 in the MASCAC. Worcester, which defeated Westfield earlier this month, is 6-14 and 3-5.
 
Vazquez pumped in 28 points in the first half, canning 7 of 10 from beyond the arc, to pace Westfield to a 44-35 lead. Westfield never trailed in the first half and led by as many as 13 points.
 
"I was just feeling it. I have been working on my jump shot every morning before class and I just feel good playing at home," said Vazquez.
 
"It was really just the first half that got me going. At the end we just wanted to keep the lead and we did it together as a team," added the 5-6 point guard who is ranked third nationally in steals per game and 20^th in scoring (22.6 points per game). He recorded a game-high five steals vs. Worcester.
 
Vazquez drained his eighth 3-point basket, giving him 33 points, with 17:38 remaining in the second half. He was quiet for more than 10 minutes, however, as he missed three 3-point shots and the Lancers guarded him with much taller players.
 
Westfield led by 14 points, 55-41, on a Ryan White dunk with 14:34 remaining. But the Owl offense stalled and the Lancers closed within seven points, 66-59, with 5:24 remaining.
 
But Westfield bounced back in a big way after a Worcester timeout as the Owls outscored Lancers, 16-0 in the final five minutes.
 
"There was just a little more energy on defense and Ryan DeLosa's dive (for a loose ball) is really what got us going," said Westfield head coach Rich Sutter.
 
Vazquez sparked the impressive 16-0 game-ending run with seven points, including his school record tying ninth 3-point basket from the left wing with 1:36 remaining.
 
Pittsfield native Brandon Mauer made nine 3-point baskets on 23 attempts for Westfield in 2008. For the game Vazquez shot 14 for 29 from the field, including 9 for 16 from 3-point range.
 
Vazquez's workout partner Matt Devine (Pembroke) also had a big game for the Owls with a rare double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, along with five blocked shots. The 6-7 junior center leads the NCAA Division III in blocked shots per game (5.0).
 
"Lee has been great at home and I can't be happier for him," said Sutter. "And Matt has been steady and outstanding for us all season. They both have great work ethics."
 
The Owls also received solid performances from starters Ryan White (8 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds), Grant Cooper (6 assists, 4 steals) and Ryan DeLosa (9 points).
 
Westfield shot 46 percent from the field and only committed 11 turnovers. The Owls lead the nation in field goal shooting defense at 35 percent, which is what Worcester shot. Westfield also forced 23 Worcester turnovers.
 
"We just have to keep rolling. We have a four straight home games and things will take care of themselves," said Sutter.
 
The Lancers were led by Monte Goodwin (17 points, 9 rebounds) and Robert Hunter (15 points, 15 rebounds). Frank Stephenson scored 15 points.