The streaking Owls won their fifth straight game and improved to 14-7 overall and 6-2 in the Mass. State Conference. Westfield State is in sole possession of second place in the conference and plays at first place Salem State in a huge conference game this Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Worcester State, which defeated Westfield 72-67 earlier this season, dropped to 9-11 and 4-4.
Illangakoon scored 16 of his career high 24 points in the first half as the Owls led 51-34 at the intermission. Westfield bolted to an early 17-5 lead following an explosive dunk by James Ogbunize (Springfield, Mass.) with 13:57 remaining. The Owls’ biggest first-half lead was 42-20 following a 3-point basket by Collier at the 5:10 mark.
Worcester drew to within 14 points in the second half, but Westfield pulled away in the final six minutes, taking a commanding 76-53 lead with 5:30 remaining.
The Owls played well both offensively and defensively. They were 9 for 22 from 3-point range and 29 for 36 from the foul line. The aggressive Westfield defense blocked 13 shots and outrebounded Worcester, 39-29.
Ogbunize had a career-high six blocked shots – one shy of the school record - despite only playing 20 minutes because of foul trouble. The hard-working senior center added nine points and seven rebounds in his limited action.
Also scoring in double figures for the Owls were senior forward Mike Jurkowski of Belchertown (14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks) and junior forward Curtis Gadles of Pembroke (11 points).
Collier had a fine all around effort with a game highs of eight rebounds and three steals. Illangakoon, one of the top free throw shooters in the conference, was 9 for 10 from the foul line.
Senior guard Ryan Hopkins (Oxford) led the Lancers with 16 points and Mark Retallic (Oxford) added 12.