WESTFIELD, Mass. – A balanced scoring attack and an efficient offense lifted Nichols College to an 80-68 victory over Westfield State University in non-conference men's basketball on Monday, Jan. 13.

Nichols improves its record to 9-4 while Westfield moves to 8-6.

Ten players scored for the extremely balanced Bison with Jessy Michaud, Ryan Sheehan and Marion Bennett leading the way with 10 points apiece. Jalen Hurst and Taylor Sarette both scored nine points.

Nichols, which entered the spirited non-conference matchup averaging 80.7 points per game, only committed seven turnovers and outscored Westfield, 33-0, from 3-point range. The Bison were 11-for-27 from beyond the arc with seven players draining threes. Westfield was 0-for-13 from 3-point range.

Despite their 3-point shooting woes, the Owls shot well from inside the arc (24-for-43) and canned 20 of 28 free throws to stay within striking distance of the Bison.

Nichols led by single digits for most of the game before pulling away with a 14-4 scoring spurt in the final four minutes.

The Bison took the lead for good, 11-10 at the 13:37 mark, when Gustave Koumare converted a steal into a layup. Nichols' biggest first-half lead was eight points and it led at the break, 33-29.

The teams continued to trade baskets for most of the second half with Westfield closing within two or three points numerous times.

A jumper by Westfield sophomore reserve forward Brian Foley cut the Nichols lead to two points, 66-64, with 5:01 remaining. The Owls had two chances to tie the score or take the lead but they committed two turnovers.

With Westfield committing four more turnovers (the Owls had 24 for the game), Nichols then scored 10 straight points for a 76-64 lead with 1:10 remaining.

Westfield junior forward Grant Cooper had game highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes of action. He scored a career high 26 points in an 88-74 setback to Nichols last season. Cooper shot 8 for 13 from the field and 8 for 12 from the foul line and dished out five assists.

Also scoring in double figures for Westfield were senior center Carl Stewart (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Foley (11 points).

The Owls outrebounded the Bison, 46-24, with 18 coming off the offensive glass.