Women's Basketball Drops 78-59 MASCAC Decision to Framingham

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior guard Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored a game-high 22 points and freshman forward Flannery O'Connor (Amesbury, Mass.) posted a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to lead the visiting Framingham State University women's basketball team to a 78-59 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Rams improve to 13-5 on the season with the win and 5-0 in the MASCAC, while the host Bears fall to 7-11 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Framingham has won 11 of the last 12 matchup between the two teams, while Bridgewater still leads the all-time series despite the setback, 60-20.

Velozo connected on 4 of 6 three-pointers and added three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. O'Connor went 7-for-13 from the floor and six of her 11 boards came off the offensive glass. O'Connor also finished with a game-best four blocked shots.

Framingham senior guard Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) filled the stat sheet with 14 points, nine rebounds, a block shot and game-high totals of seven assists and five steals, while freshman forward Sarah Sullivan (Sheffield, Mass.) contributed 12 points, three boards and a pair of steals in 11 minutes off the bench. Freshman forward Katty Haidul (Wakefield, Mass.) also came off the bench for the Rams to post nine points, eight rebounds (five offensive) and a pair of steals in nine minutes of action.

Freshman guard Jordyn Lako (Attleboro, Mass.) tallied 11 points, three rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes off the bench to pace Bridgewater State. Lako knocked down 3 of 4 three-point field goal attempts. Sophomore guard Hannah Dziadyk (Wakefield, Mass.) scored a team-best 12 points for the Bears and corralled four board, while freshman guard Kylee Piché (Bridgewater, Mass.) notched seven points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Rams used a 7-0 run midway through the first quarter to turn a 9-9 tie into a 16-9 advantage. Sullivan tallied five points during the spurt including a three-pointer. Framingham would take a 24-18 lead into the second quarter. A 7-1 run, capped off by back-to-back Velozo trifectas, just 92 seconds into the second period extended the FSU lead to 12 (31-19). The Rams got up by as many as 15 points (43-38) in the session and took a 43-29 into the break.

O'Day and Sullivan tallied 12 points apiece in the first half to lead all player, while Dziadyk paced the Bears with nine. The Rams connected on 50% (15-30) of their field goal attempts over the first 20 minutes and went 4-for-10 (40%) from behind the arc and 9-for-11 at the free throw line. Bridgewater shot just 25% (9-36) from the floor, 27% (4-15) from three-point range and 58% (7-12) at the charity stripe over the first two periods.

The Bears pulled to within 11 (53-42) following a Lako three-pointer with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter. The Rams, however, answered with a 9-0 run, including four points from O'Connor, to take a commanding 62-42 lead and the Bears never threatened again. Framingham got up by as many as 27 points (76-49) in the fourth quarter and cruised to the 78-58 victory.

The Rams shot 44% (29-66) for the game, including 7-for-21 (33%) from behind the arc, and went 13-for-17 (76%) at the line. Framingham finished with a decided edge in both points in the paint (38-14) and points off turnovers (28-8).

The Bears shot 29% (19-66) from the floor, 32% (8-25) from three-point range and 59% (13-22) at the stripe.

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