Salem upped its record to 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the Mass. State Conference. Westfield dropped to 9-7 and 1-2.
Downie, who leads the conference in scoring (20 points per game), scored 13 of his points in the second half to rally the Vikings from a 36-32 halftime deficit.
Downie drained a 3-point basket to snap a 48-all tie with 8:27 remaining. Westfield regained the lead, 56-55, on two free throws by freshman guard Matt Lynch (Braintree) at the 5:35 mark.
Salem led 61-59 following a 3-point basket by Westfield sophomore guard Tony Collier (Colchester, VT) with 1:45 remaining. The Vikings pulled away by canning seven free throws in the final minute.
For the game, Westfield only shot 30 percent from the floor, including 4-for-20 from 3-point range, and 17-for-29 from the foul line, including a 7-for-16 effort in the second half.
However, the Owls started the game strong and went on a 17-5 run to take a 31-18 lead with 7:38 left in the first half. Salem regrouped to outscore Westfield 14-5 in the remainder of the first half.
Downie, along with with the inside attack of 6-5 junior forward Brandon McCombs (Springfield Sci-Tech) and 6-7 freshman center Dylan Holmes (Groton, Mass.), sparked the comeback. McCombs had 14 points and nine rebounds and Holmes had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite its poor shooting, the Owls made it a tight game by committing just nine turnovers. Salem committed 23 turnovers. The Vikings out-rebounded the Owls, 48-39, and canned 23 of 28 free throws.
Collier was Westfield’s only player in double figures with 22 points. Senior forward James Ogbunize (Springfield Sci-Tech) had six points, 10 rebounds and two blocks before fouling out late in the game.