Westfield Takes Down UCC Division Rival Linden in Hard-Fought Battle
coverage by: Nery Rodriguez
In a battle that went down to the wire, Westfield secured a hard-fought 51-47 victory over Linden in a pivotal divisional clash on the road. With this win, the Blue Devils improved to 12-7 on the season, while the Tigers fell to 9-8 in a game defined by defensive intensity and clutch performances.
From the opening tip, both teams traded blows in a tightly contested first quarter. Westfield’s Zach Epp wasted no time making an impact, attacking the paint and setting the tone offensively. Linden, however, responded with strong interior play from Martin Drejaj, who established himself early on the glass. The first quarter concluded with Westfield holding a slim 14-12 lead, signaling the back-and-forth battle that was to come.
Linden found its groove in the second quarter, with Asante Jones and Jayden Holman orchestrating the offense and keeping Westfield’s defense on its heels. A flurry of mid-range jumpers and aggressive drives helped the Tigers claim a narrow 25-24 advantage heading into halftime, energizing the home crowd.
The intensity ramped up in the third quarter as both teams traded momentum-shifting plays. Tyshawn Pearson anchored Westfield on both ends, grabbing key rebounds and converting second-chance opportunities. Meanwhile, Drejaj continued his dominance in the paint, using his physicality to keep Linden in striking distance. With neither team giving an inch, the quarter ended in a deadlock at 37-37, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Westfield’s defensive pressure became the deciding factor. The Blue Devils clamped down on Linden’s offensive flow, forcing key turnovers and limiting their second-chance opportunities. Epp came up big down the stretch, finishing strong at the rim and knocking down free throws to keep Westfield in control. Enzo Ferrero also made his presence felt, securing crucial rebounds and converting on key possessions.
Despite a late push from Linden, Westfield’s defensive resilience proved too much to overcome. Holding the Tigers to just nine points in the final frame, the Blue Devils capitalized on their rebounding advantage (29-17) and closed out the game with poise. Epp led the way with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Ferrero added 11 points and 6 rebounds. Pearson’s all-around effort (8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists) was instrumental in securing the win.
For Linden, Drejaj and Jones paced the offense with 12 points each, while Holman contributed 9 points and 3 assists. However, their inability to crack Westfield’s defense in the closing minutes proved costly.
With this victory, Westfield builds momentum as they enter the final stretch of the season, looking to solidify their place in the Union County Conference. Both teams showcased their grit and talent in a game that delivered from start to finish, setting the stage for an exciting final push toward the postseason.