Westfield improved to 10-7 overall and 2-2 in the Mass. State Conference. Fitchburg is 5-10 and 0-3.
The Owls won despite making only 17 field goals the entire game. They were 36-for-48 from the foul line, including a 21-for-28 effort in the second half when they pulled away in the final six minutes.
Fitchburg State was 19-for-29 from the foul line, including 11-for-19 in the second half. There were a total of 55 personal fouls in the game, including 32 against Fitchburg State.
Fitchburg led twice early in the game and took its only second-half lead, 50-49, on a lay-in by Albert Ortiz (Fitchburg) with 8:37 remaining.
With the score tied at 53-all, Westfield went on an 13-4 run for a 66-57 lead with 2:20 remaining. The Owls canned nine straight free throws during the mini-run.
Fitchburg closed to within four points, 66-62, with 1:28 remaining, but the Owls held on in the final minute.
Sophomore guard Tony Collier (Colchester, VT) scored 17 for the Owls, including a 9-for-11 effort from the charity stripe. Junior point guard Gavin Illangakoon (Ellington, CT) made 12 of 14 free throws to finish with 16 points.
Freshman center Andrew Vayo (Waterville, ME) led Fitchburg with 14 points.