Men's Basketball Defeats Framingham State In MASCAC Action

Worcester State 83, Framingham State 73

Box Score

Framingham, MA --- Senior forward Maurice Horton (Detroit, MI) scored a team high 21 points and handed out six assists to lead the Worcester State College men’s basketball team to an 83-73 win over Framingham State in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men’s basketball action this evening.

With the win, the Lancers improve to 2-1 in conference and 8-7 overall, while the loss drops the Rams to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in the MASCAC.

The Lancers came out on fire as they opened the game with a 10-0 run over the first four minutes on which they were a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor including a three from junior guard Ryan Testagrossa (Athol, MA). The Rams first points of the game came on a Royce Veal (Dorchester, MA) lay-up with 15:57 remaining in the half.

Worcester State’s hot shooting continued throughout the first half as they finished the frame shooting 63% from the floor (17-for-27), including 4-of-9 from behind the arc. They extended their lead to as many as 21 points before heading into the break with a 45-28 lead.

The Rams struggled from the floor in the first half shooting only 34% and only 4-of-11 from behind the arc.

Framingham State mounted a comeback as they opened the second half on a 24-8 run to pull within one at 53-52 on a Darius Yarrell (Brockton, MA) lay-in with 13:25 left in the game. The Rams took their first lead of the game on their next possession on a lay-up from senior forward Josue Almodovar (Holyoke, MA). Their lead would be short lived as the Lancers tied the game and took the lead for good on two Testagrossa free throws with 11:08 remaining.

Worcester State went ahead by as many as seven over the final ten minutes. The Rams were able to close the gap to two at 69-66 on Almodovar jumper in the paint with 3:36 remaining. That was as close as the Rams would come as the Lancers pushed their lead back to six back-to-back lay-ups from Horton and junior Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, MA).

The Lancers extended their lead to ten in the final two minutes as they sank 6-of-8 from the free throw line including 5-of-6 from Testagrossa.

Horton led five Lancers in double figures including Testagrossa who finished the game with 16 points including 11-of-12 from the line. Sophomore Jamaal Atkins (Webster, Mass.) picked up his first career double-double with 11 points and 12 boards, while Douillette and freshman Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA) chipped in 10 points apiece.

The Rams were led by Almodovar who scored a game-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor. Yarell finished the game with 13 points, while Veal chipped in 12 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Brendan Carter (South Boston, MA) grabbed a career-high 12 boards and two steals.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Salem State for an 8 PM tip-off, while the Lancers travel to Fitchburg State for a 7:30 PM game also on Tuesday.

Full Release Courtesy of Framingham State Sports Information