Women’s basketball improves MASCAC standing

By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor The Framingham State Rams’ recent victory against their Jan. 31 opponent, the Westfield State Owls, improved their standing in the MASCAC conference. With this 80-75 win, their record in the conference stands at 6-2, and their overall record at 10-9. The Owls came out hot in the first quarter, scoring on a layup in the first 10 seconds. A little over a minute later, sophomore Faith Greene evened the score with her own layup. Despite another two points on a jump shot by Greene, WSU pulled ahead 7-4, scoring on a jump shot and a 3-pointer. A jump shot, a layup, and a free throw by Greene earned the Rams the lead for the first time in the match. Shortly after, Westfield tied the game 9-9 with a layup. A 3-point jump shot by senior Kiara Cerruti allowed the Rams to reclaim the lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the first quarter, courtesy of free throws by sophomore Jacqueline Schels and freshman Zaria Anderson and a layup by Captain Kelsey Yelle, a senior. With another layup and two 3-pointers by the Owls, the first quarter ended with a close score of 18-17. The Rams came out strong in the second quarter, with Captain Abigail Martin, a senior, scoring on a layup just 16 seconds in. Twenty seconds later, Anderson added to the board with a 3-point jump shot. Schels followed with another 3-pointer 30 seconds later. On their next possession, the Owls broke through with a 3-pointer, and, in the following minute, scored on a jump shot to add another 3 points to the board. With one more 3-pointer, Westfield tied the game at 26, but junior Ava Mckeon sank a free throw to gain back the advantage for FSU. After a few scoreless possessions from both teams, WSU fouled Greene, who netted both of her foul shots. As the half came to a close, Westfield scored points on two free throws, while Anderson scored on a 3-pointer. Westfield quickly tied the match in the opening moments of the second half with two layups. Despite another successful FSU free throw, the Owls took the lead with a 3-point jump shot. A layup from Greene tied the match once again, and a second regained the lead for FSU. Two minutes later, WSU broke through with a layup and a 3-pointer, reclaiming the lead 40-37. After a minute of struggle, Greene and Schels each contributed a layup for another lead change. Layups from Yelle and Greene, a 3-pointer from Anderson, and a jump shot from Yelle offset the Owls’ points for the remainder of the quarter, bringing the score to 52-50 Rams. Early action in the fourth quarter allowed WSU to obtain the lead, but baskets from Greene and Yelle regained FSU’s advantage. After a successful free throw by the Owls, Martin brought in more points with a layup, followed by another less than a minute later. A layup and a free throw by Greene and a layup by the Owls brought the score to 63-58, and another layup from Yelle in the following minute increased FSU’s lead. With 4:30 left, both teams worked to score - WSU scored on two free throws and a jump shot, while Greene scored two free throws and Schels scored a 3-pointer. The last 3 minutes of the match saw increased action from both teams. WSU scored on a layup, which they followed a minute later with a 3-pointer. On the Rams’ next possession, Schels scored on a 3-pointer, and Yelle scored on a free throw seconds later. Within the final minute, Westfield racked up fouls, allowing shots from Yelle, Schels, and Greene. Though WSU scored on three layups, one a buzzer beater, it was not enough to overcome Framingham’s lead, and the match concluded in favor of the Rams 80-75. Due to her success in recent matches - putting up 13 points against Anna Maria, 17 points against Bridgewater, and a whopping 30 points against Westfield - Greene earned the title of MASCAC Player of the Week Feb. 2. Framingham handed the Fitchburg State Falcons a devastating 86-34 loss Feb. 4, bringing their own conference record to 7-2 and their overall record to 11-9. The Rams will host the Salem State Vikings for a conference matchup Feb. 7. Schels said coming into the last few matches of the season, she wants the team to really come together, and hopes “we can start peaking just in time for the post season and make a good run we can be proud of.”