Men's basketball falls to Salem State

By Taylor Kimmell

Asst. Sports Editor

After an unsuccessful second half, the Framingham State Rams fell to the Salem State Vikings 84-76 in a conference matchup Feb. 7.

This loss brings the Rams’ conference record to 5-5 and their overall record to 12-9.

The first minute of the game was slow, with no scoring from either team. Then, after the Vikings committed a foul, junior Joshua Saint Jean scored on a free throw.

SSU pulled ahead on their next possession with a 3-pointer.

Senior Vondre Chase tied the game with a layup 40 seconds later.

Another 30 seconds passed before Salem broke the tie with a 3-point jump shot.

Framingham committed a foul and allowed the Vikings an opportunity to score on two foul shots and a jump shot. FSU graduate student AJ Thompson answered with a layup.

Chase scored once again on a layup for the Rams, but the Vikings scored one of their own.

On Framingham’s next possession, Thompson made another layup, followed by a dunk from Saint Jean on the following play.

Fouled by SSU, Thompson scored on two free throws, taking the lead for FSU.

Ten seconds later, the Vikings pulled ahead 15-13 with a 3-pointer.

Saint Jean took back the lead for the Rams with a layup and a successful free throw, but Salem quickly regained the advantage with two free throws.

The lead swapped twice more in the following minute, when, following a 3-pointer by junior Lorenzo Washington, Salem made a layup and a free throw.

Another two layups and a free throw increased SSU’s lead before junior Fallou Koite put points on the board for the Rams with a 3-point jump shot.

A layup by junior Domonick Victor brought Framingham within a point of the lead, but the Vikings widened the gap on their next few drives, scoring on a layup and a free throw.

Victor made another layup just 20 seconds later, then sank a free throw to bring the score to 28-27 with SSU just a point ahead.

After a layup by the Vikings, Victor sank another shot to avoid falling behind.

After Salem fouled Saint Jean, he made two foul shots, claiming a 31-30 lead for the Rams.

Saint Jean made another free throw on FSU’s next drive.

Following a Framingham timeout, Salem returned to the court with increased energy, scoring on a layup and a 3-pointer while Saint Jean made a layup.

At the two-minute mark, Salem scored again on a layup, and on FSU’s next drive, Saint Jean made a free throw.

A 3-pointer by the Vikings brought the score to 43-35, but a dunk by Chase brought the Rams closer to the lead as the half came to a close.

A Koite jump shot started off the second half, quickly followed by a layup from Victor.

On the Rams’ next drive, Koite’s layup brought the score to an even 43-43, but the Vikings quickly capitalized on the ensuing turnover, sinking a 3-pointer.

Roughly a minute later, SSU sent in another shot from behind the 3-point line, successfully netting it.

The Vikings' next drive resulted in a layup and a foul by FSU, allowing Salem to score on a free throw.

After five unsuccessful possessions, SSU drove to the net for a layup, then a free throw following another foul by the Rams.

Five minutes in, junior Korbin Gann scored a 3-pointer for FSU. Salem battled back with two jump shots about 40 seconds apart.

SSU scored a 3-pointer on their next drive, quickly followed by one from junior Ja’Quin Taylor.

A jump shot and a layup in the next 30 seconds increased the Vikings’ lead to 66-49.

Fouled by Salem on the next play, Koite stepped to the foul line, netting both of his free throw shots with ease.

After another layup by SSU, Koite made the most of FSU’s next three possessions, scoring four more free throws and a jump shot.

Salem quickly found their footing, sending up another layup.

Junior Makyle Hayes was fouled by a Salem defender, scoring a point on a free throw.

Salem took control of the court in the following minute, scoring on a layup and two free throws.

The Rams’ next few possessions proved unsuccessful as they struggled to break through Salem’s tough defense.

Head Coach Donald Morris Jr. said, “Salem plays a very specific type of zone. … You must run specific things against it.”

A full 3 minutes passed before the Rams broke through with a layup from Thompson.

Salem's next possession allowed the team to score a layup, but overly rough defensive plays against the Rams gave FSU two foul shots. Koite netted both.

Salem scored on a layup at the 4-minute mark, and a free throw by Thompson, a jump shot by Hayes, and a layup by Victor brought the Rams within 11 points of the lead.

Two free throws each from SSU and Koite brought the score to 80-69, with Framingham still at a deficit.

Action ramped up during the final minute and a half of the match, kick-started by a free throw by Salem and two by Washington.

Salem tallied two more foul shots on their next possession, and Koite followed with three.

Despite a layup by Thompson with 6 seconds left, the Rams were still behind as the clock ran out, ending the match with a score of 84-76.

Morris said the team worked hard, but Salem’s three guards made it difficult to have the press FSU wished for earlier in the game.

Injuries have also played a notable part in Framingham’s recent struggle, Morris noted. He added the team has “done a great job playing as a unit when healthy.

“All the games are winnable. We will need others to step up due to injuries, but I think we have some guys that can meet that challenge,” he added.

Junior Dyree Rogers, recently injured but typically a starter and a top-scorer for FSU, said the Rams “have been identified as a defensive team this year, and we have built on that game by game.”

Rogers said the Rams’ defense has been a strength against tough opponents, and a point of pride for the team.

He said, “Our defense leads to offense, and it makes the game that much easier.”

Rogers said, “We are a team, and I like to remind us to never get too low or too high and to stay the course.”

The Rams’ recent 84-70 loss against the Worcester State Lancers on Feb. 11 brought their conference record to 5-6 and their overall record to 12-10.

Morris said as the Rams face their final games, they have their sights set on a playoff game on home court, “if possible.

“Once the playoffs start, the regular season doesn’t matter, and we feel as if we can beat any team. We have been up in all games, so now it’s about being able to hold those leads and finish out games. If we can do that, we just have to make a run,” he added.

The Rams host the MCLA Trailblazers on Feb. 14 for a conference matchup.

Rogers said the goal for the team is “a MASCAC championship. I feel we’ve got the tools, the chemistry, and the pieces to make that run this year. God willing, everyone plays their part, and we will be cutting those nets in March!”