DANBURY, Conn. – Junior Luis Bridtter (Stamford, Conn.) recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to help lead the Western Connecticut State University men's basketball team to an 82-65 victory over Lesley University on the first day of the Maron Hotel & Suites Classic at Feldman Arena.

Also scoring in double figures for Western were freshmen Geary McLeod (Meriden, Conn.) and Bobby Bynum (New Haven, Conn.) who each scored 13 points, and junior Jengodji Gates (New Haven, CT) who scored 11.  Bynum also led the Colonials in assists with four and steals with three.

For the Lynx, senior Kris Bennett (Inglewood, Calif.) recorded his first double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 15 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. Junior Justin Rosa (East Brunswick, N.J.) chipped in with 14 points while freshman Trevonn Lewis (Chicago, Ill.) scored a career-high 12 points.

Western rushed out to an early 12-0 lead in the game's opening two minutes, but Lesley managed to narrow the gap to 18-12 at the midway point of the first half.  Western's lead was down to only four points with seven minutes remaining in the half, but a pair of Bynum free throws in the final minute pushed the Colonial advantage to 40-28 at the half.

Bridtter scored the first four points of the second half on a pair of three throws and a jumper to give Western a 16-point lead.  The lead grew to 20 after a layup by Gates with eight minutes remaining, and 24 a minute later after a McLeod jumper made the score 75-51.  Lesley managed to narrow the margin slightly in the closing minutes, but Western's final margin of victory was 82-65.

For the game, Western held a 46-41 advantage in rebounds, and also had a 16-7 edge in assists.  Western finished shooting 41.6% from the floor and 60.0% from the line, while Lesley hit 41.1% and 53.1%, respectively.

With the win, Western improves to 3-1 on the season, while Lesley remains winless at 0-3.  Action continues on Sunday at Western's Feldman Arena with the second day of the Maron Hotel & Suites Classic.  Lesley takes on Purchase College at 2:00pm followed by a 4:00pm matchup between Western and Mitchell College.