The Westwood boys basketball team started the 2019-2020 season on the right foot, pulling away from Ishpeming for a 59-48 victory on Friday.
Westwood raced out to a 10-3 lead before the Hematites rallied to tie things up at 12-12 late in the first quarter. However, a Taylor Dellangelo layup just before the buzzer put Westwood ahead 14-12 heading into the second frame. Ishpeming took a brief lead at the 5:29 mark but Westwood scored 15 of the next 22 points and led 32-27 at halftime.
The Patriots were held to one field goal in the first six minutes of the second half as Ishpeming rallied to tie the game at 34-all. That’s when Mason Mariuzza scored a put-back layup before connecting on a three-pointer the following possession, igniting a 13-0 Patriot run and Ishpeming never got within nine points the rest of the way.
Taylor Dellangelo turned in a game-high 24 points while Zach Carlson added 23 to lead the Patriots. Westwood (1-0) finished the game 27/41 at the free throw line and host Hancock on Monday.