Fourth Quarter Run Propels Emerson Past Women's Basketball 59-53

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University women's basketball team led for most of the game, but were defeated at home tonight 59-53 by Emerson College in non-conference action at the Athletic Center.

THE BASICS:

- Score: Emerson College 59, Framingham State 53

- Records: Framingham State (8-5), Emerson (5-5)

- Location:  Athletic Center – Framingham, Mass.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Emerson saw three players record double figures led by 16 points from senior Kate Foultz.  Foultz connected on 4-of-7 from behind the arc and added three steals and a block.
• Classmate Sam Boyle added 15 points on 7-of-14 from the floor and added four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while junior Rachel Davey chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.
• The Rams were led by a game-best 26 points on 8-of-17 from the floor including 5-of-9 from behind the arc from senior Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.). Velozo added four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
• Senior Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) added 12 points and nine rebounds, while freshman Sarah Sullivan (Sheffield, Mass.) finished with seven. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Rams led 12-8 with just over six minutes remaining in the first as Velozo went 4-for-4 from behind the arc to start the game.
• A layup by Quinn Madden pulled the Lions within two, 14-12, with 4:25 on the clock, but the Rams closed the first with a 7-0 run taking a 21-12 lead after one.
• A layup from O'Day and one from Velozo in the opening minute of the second pushed the Rams lead to 25-12.
• A layup from Madden with 8:17 on the clock in the second ended a nearly six-minute scoring draught for the Lions who closed the gap to 25-19 with 7:04 on the clock in the second.
• The Rams pushed the lead back to 10, 29-19, midway through the second before heading to the half leading 31-22. Velozo led all scorers in the first half with 17 points, while Boyle paced the Lions with 10.
• Emerson used a strong third quarter that saw them outscore the Rams 20-12 to cut the gap to one, 43-42, after three quarters.
• The two team traded baskets to start the fourth quarter before a three from Davey with 7:11 on the clock gave the Lions the lead 47-45. The lead was their first lead of the game since they led 3-0 just eight seconds into the contest.
• The Lions outscored the Rams 7-2 over the next three minutes building a 54-47 advantage.
• The Rams pulled within three, 54-51, on a pair of Velozo free throws with 2:30 on the clock, but the Lions quickly extended the lead back to 59-51 after a three from Foultz and a pair of free throws.
• A Velozo drive pulled the Rams within six, 59-53, with 14.8 on the clock, but that was as close as they would get.

UP NEXT:                   

The Rams are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Westfield State for their MASCAC opener at 12 p.m., while the Lions host Fisher College on January 16^th at 7 p.m.