Women's Basketball Drops MASCAC Opener to Framingham State, 59-42

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Framingham State University women's basketball team posted a 59-42 win over Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Rams improve to 9-4 on the season and 2-0 in the MASCAC. The Bears, who were playing in their first conference game of the campaign, slip to 3-9 overall and 0-1 in MASCAC play.

Sophomore guards Raegan Mulherin (Baldwinville, Mass.) and Lauren Donahue (Attleboro, Mass.) paced Framingham State with 13 points apiece. Mulherin added seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals, while Donahue tallied four boards and five assists. Junior center Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) came within a point and two blocked shots of a triple-double as she finished with nine points, 18 rebounds and eight blocks.

Freshman guard Sara DaSilva (Chelmsford, Mass.) led Bridgewater State with 13 points, four rebounds and five steals. Junior forward Jennie Lindland (Edgartown, Mass.) chipped in 11 points and six boards.

Framingham used a 13-0 run in the first quarter to take a 15-4 lead as the Rams held the Bears scoreless for over seven minutes. The visitors led 17-7 at the end of one and extended their advantage to 29-13 at the break.

The Rams opened the third quarter with an 8-2 spurt to take their biggest lead of the game (37-15) with 6:40 remaining in the session. Sparked by seven points from DaSilva, the Bears answered with a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to 39-27 with 3:40 showing on the clock. Later in the quarter, a DaSilva jumper at the 1:30 mark pulled the Bears to within 11 (42-31).

Bridgewater, however, was unable to get any closer. Framingham got up by as many as 20 points (51-31) in the final period before settling for the 59-42 victory.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well. The Rams connected on 37% (18-49) of their field goal attempts, while the Bears shot just 25% (16-62) from the floor including 3-for-24 (13%) from behind the arc. Framingham held a 50-35 rebounding advantage.

The conference schedule continues for both teams on Wednesday evening. The Bears travel to Fitchburg State University for a 5:30 game with the Falcons, while the Rams entertain the Owls of Westfield State University at six.