Farmingdale State - 76, Westfield State - 70

Westfield, Mass. - In their final non-conference game of the season, the Farmingdale State men's basketball team overcame a 15-point second half deficit on Monday night in the 76-70 victory at Westfield State. The Rams improved to 6-5 on the year, while the Owls fell to 3-8.

Trailing 45-30 early in the second half, FSC used a jump shot and free-throw by Liam Monaghan (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) and an Ali Mableton (Brentwood, N.Y.) layup to close within 10.

With 11:48 remaining and the Owls ahead 53-43, a 10-0 Farmingdale State run capped off by a Ryan Kennedy (Maspeth, N.Y.) jumper over the next 2:37 evened the score at 53-53.

After junior guard Allister Williams (Boston, Mass.) connected on a pair of free-throws to put Westfield State on top 62-59, FSC's Weldon Irvine* (Queens, N.Y.) and Kennedy connected on back-to-back scores to give the Rams their first lead since the opening minutes, 63-62, with 5:00 left on the clock.

On the next two Owls possessions, Jesus Sanchez (Springfield, Mass.) and Dan Lanoue (Uxbridge, Mass.) each hit jump shots to regain the advantage, 66-63.

Trailing 68-65 with 2:24 remaining, FSC sophomore guard George Riefenstahl (Bayport, N.Y.) hit a layup and free-throw after being fouled to tie the game at 68-68. Lanoue answered with a basket on the next trip down the floor for Westfield State, but the Rams closed the game with eight unanswered points to seal the 76-70 comeback victory.

Irvine recorded a double-double with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Kennedy had 13 points and four assists. Monaghan finished the night with 12 points, six boards and a game-high five assists and junior guard Trey Kinard (Deer Park, N.Y.) added 13 points in the win.

The Owls were led by senior guard Jose Allen (Amherst, Mass.) and Sanchez who scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.

FSC next will play host to Old Westbury on Saturday, January 7th at noon. This will mark the first game to be played in the newly renovated Nold Hall Gymnasium. Prior to Saturday's game beginning at 10:15 a.m., the team and coaching staff will be running a clinic for the children of the local CYO programs.

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