Men’s basketball beats Bridgewater, advances to semifinal

By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor In a nail-biter first round of the MASCAC playoffs, the fourth-seed Framingham State Rams netted a layup in the final 6 seconds for an 87-86 victory against the fifth-seed Bridgewater State Bears Feb. 25. The Rams entered the playoffs with an overall record of 14-11 and a conference record of 6-7. After winning the jump ball, FSU quickly advanced down the court, where junior Joshua Saint Jean scored on a layup for the first points of the game just 15 seconds in. Bridgewater battled back immediately, tying the score with a jump shot, but the Rams regained the lead with a layup by junior Lorenzo Washington. On the next drive, junior Isiah Alexander netted the ball from behind the 3-point line. Washington scored on a layup in the same minute to bring the score to 9-2 - an early lead for Framingham. FSU’s scoring streak continued for the next two drives, with shots from Washington and junior Fallou Koite increasing their lead. Bridgewater broke through the Rams’ strong defense 5 minutes in with a layup, which senior Vondre Chase responded to with a 3-pointer. After Framingham held BSU from scoring on the next turnover, Saint Jean stole the ball, bringing it to the hoop for a dunk. Though the Bears added another layup, a 3-point jump shot by Koite widened the gap even more. On their next two possessions, the Bears scored on a layup and a 3-pointer, but Washington battled back for FSU with a layup and a 3-pointer of his own in the following minute. BSU worked to close the gap with 5 more points, fouling Saint Jean in their efforts and allowing him to sink two shots from the free-throw line. Just under a minute later, junior Domonick Victor scored for the Rams on a layup. Two fouls by Framingham in the following minute allowed Bridgewater's Jacob Stull four free throws, each of which he was able to net. Five uneventful possessions passed before either team could sink another shot, with a layup by Washington breaking through. The Bears’ offense found their rhythm during the final 5 minutes of the half - Louis Jennings starting their push with a layup from Zach Taylor closely following. BSU fouled Koite with 3:27 left of the first half, and he successfully shot both free throws. Bridgewater rebounded the ball, and Stull drove to the hoop for a 3-pointer, assisted by Taylor. The Bears netted another jump shot after holding off the Rams on the following turnover. Fouled by BSU once again, Koite stepped to the free-throw line and scored on both of his shots. With a minute left, Framingham committed a foul against Taylor, allowing him to make both of his free throws. Washington made a layup on the Rams’ next possession, but was fouled by the Bears’ defense on the same play. Unfortunately, his free throw bounced off the rim for BSU to rebound. On that rebound, FSU’s offense fouled Stull, who made two free throws. Both teams failed to make their next shots, and the clock ran down to end the half with a score of 46-40, the Rams still holding onto the lead. Bridgewater opened the scoring in the second half, with Jennings scoring on a layup 16 seconds in. Next to the net was Washington, who scored on a layup after a steal by Alexander. Following a missed layup by the Bears, Chase snagged the defensive rebound. He passed to Koite, who was fouled by a defender and then sank a free throw. BSU capitalized on their next possessions, draining a 3-pointer and forcing FSU into a foul to earn the Bears two free throw shots. Regaining possession, Koite tried for a layup. When his shot missed the net, Saint Jean went for the rebound but was fouled by a Bridgewater defender. He then made both of his free throws. A minute later, Jennings made a layup for Bridgewater, bringing the score to a close 51-49, still in favor of FSU. A little over 4 minutes into the second, Chase made a dunk, widening the gap, but a 3-pointer by BSU on the ensuing turnover brought the score to a 1-point difference. With two free throws 40 seconds later, Bridgewater took the lead for the first time all game. Bridgewater built on their lead with a 3-pointer and a layup despite a 2-point field goal by Koite. The Rams kept pace with the Bears, with Chase contributing a layup as Taylor netted a 3-pointer for BSU. Koite was fouled a minute later, making one of his two free throws. Within the following minute, Taylor scored on two layups and a free throw for Bridgewater while Saint Jean and Koite scored on a layup and a dunk, respectively. Both teams were awarded free throws in the following minute, with BSU making one of two and Saint Jean making both. Stull scored for the Bears with a dunk, which Saint Jean quickly followed with a layup. A Bridgewater 3-pointer followed suit, increasing BSU’s lead to 73-66. Koite reduced the Rams’ deficit with two successful free throws, but the Bears added more points with a layup. Chase and Saint Jean each contributed a layup, then Saint Jean sent up one more to bring the score within 2 points. BSU pulled ahead with another layup, but shots by Saint Jean and Koite allowed FSU to take back the lead 78-77. Framingham and Bridgewater maintained a steady defense for the next minute before Washington broke through for a layup. On the same play, he was fouled by Taylor and made a free throw. Five free throws in the next 30 seconds enabled BSU to take back the lead, but Koite stole it back for FSU with two free throws. Another lead change occurred as Taylor sank a jump shot for the Bears, but free throws by Washington returned FSU’s advantage once again. With 30 seconds left, a layup by Stull put the Rams at a 1-point deficit. Possession returned to FSU, and the crowd in the Logan Gymnasium went ballistic as the Rams completed a series of intricate passes around the key, finally sending the ball to Chase, who made a layup to bring the score to 87-86. The Bears could not manage a hail-mary basket as the clock ticked down, securing the Rams’ place in the next round of the tournament bracket. Earlier this season, FSU fell to BSU 101-98 in a match Jan. 24. Saint Jean said they learned from this loss. “Skills that we utilized for this game were being point dominant in the paint, and slowing down the game. Using these skills helped us in the long run.” Washington said the match “came down to making the right reads. Against Bridgewater, I just wanted to control the pace and make the game easier for my teammates. That balance opened everything up for us.” Not only was Saint Jean tied as a top scorer for the match with 22 points, but he also led the Rams in rebounds, contributing 14. Saint Jean said these stats were relevant because the Rams “are a team that tries to hold teams to one shot per possession. Our rebounding on defense and even on offense led to us getting a whole lot more opportunities to succeed during the game.” Washington said throughout this season, the team has “preached defense and discipline. We didn’t switch up just because it was the playoffs. “We trusted our system, communicated on defense, and took good shots. Our chemistry from the regular season really showed - we know our rotations. That consistency carried over big time,” he added. The Rams travel to Worcester State to take on the second-seeded Lancers in the MASCAC Semifinals Feb. 27. Saint Jean said beyond getting the home game the Rams previously hoped for, seeding holds little weight, as now the focus will be on “staying together and trying to knock off these top teams. “We plan on winning against Worcester by slowing the tempo down and not making the game a track meet, which Worcester thrives off of … and by continuing to do what we usually do - keep on executing and defending,” he added. Washington shared a similar view, saying during playoffs, “everybody’s playing their best basketball. For us, it’s more about preparation and energy. If we lock in defensively and execute, we feel like we can compete with anybody, no matter the seed.” Washington said he is proud of the team’s growth this season. “Not just wins, but how we respond to adversity. We had moments this season where we could’ve folded, and we didn’t. Personally, I’ve grown a lot as a leader, being more vocal, holding guys accountable, but also supporting them. “I’ll miss the day-to-day grind with this group - the locker room jokes, practice battles, road trips. That stuff goes by fast - you don’t really realize it until the season’s almost over,” he added. Saint Jean said he’s proud that this year’s team has “just continued to get better. This school has gotten better every single year since I came as a freshman. “The thing that I will miss the most about the junior season is the seniors that I played with this year. They worked their tails off all year and I will miss their presence on the team,” he added.