Rams Blitz Vikings

Framingham, Mass. –  Framingham State scored 33 third quarter points to pull away from Salem State and secure a share of the MASCAC regular season title with a 92-53 in win over Salem State at the Athletic Center. Five players record double figures led by 27 from senior guard Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) for the Rams who go to 18-5 and remain unbeated in conference at 10-0. The Vikings slip to 6-17 and 3-8 in the MASCAC.

Salem State led 9-7 midway through the first quarter after a three by Cravedi, but the Rams quickly retook the lead and led 15-11 after one on a Velozo bucket. Paschal cut the deficit back to two in the opening minutes of the second, but the Rams pushed the lead back to five, 21-16, on a basket by Haidul.

The Vikings would pull within one multiple times in the second frame before the Rams closed the quarter with a 9-1 run over the final 2:35 to take a 40-29 lead at the half.

The Rams started the third quarter with an 8-2 spurt extending the lead to 17 at 48-31.  Threes from O'Day and freshman Krysta Padellaro (Newburyport, Mass.) started the spurt and O'Connor capped it with a bucket in the paint. The Rams continued to build on the lead in the third quarter leading by as many as 31 on a Sullivan layup with just over a minute remaining. 

The Rams maintained the sizeable lead throughout the fourth quarter en route to the victory.

O'Day led all scorers with her game-high 27 points as she connected on 9-of-11 from the floor and added six rebounds and three assists.

The Vikings were paced by a team-high 18 points from senior Courtney Paschal (Waltham, Mass.).  Paschal connected on 6-of-10 from the floor and added four rebounds, a steal and an assist.Freshman Hannah Cravedi (Templeton, Mass.) and sophomore Nicole Freddo (Marblehead, Mass.) tallied nine points apiece for the visitors.

Freshman Flannery O'Connor (Amesbury, Mass.) chipped in with a double double effort of 17 points and 11 rebounds.  O'Connor connected on 8-of-9 from the field. 

Freshman Sarah Sullivan (Sheffield, Mass.) just a missed a double with 11 points and eight boards, while senior Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) tallied 11 points and added four rebounds and seven assists.

Freshman Katty Haidul (Wakefield, Mass.) was the final Ram in double figures with 10 points.