Strong Second Half Propels Wentworth Past Men's Basketball

Strong Second Half Propels Wentworth Past Men's Basketball

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's basketball team was defeated tonight in their home opener 68-59 by Wentworth in non-conference action at the Athletic Center.

THE BASICS:

- Scores:   Wentworth 68, Framingham State 59

- Records: Framingham State (0-2), Wentworth (2-0)

Location:  Athletic Center – Framingham, Mass.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

  • The Leopards had four players score double figures led by 13 points off the bench from sophomore Noah Bice. Bice connected on four-of-seven from the floor in the game.
  • Senior Stephen Azums added a double double of 11 points on four-of-six from the floor to go along with a game-best 11 boards.
  • Junior Trey Carrier and freshman Conor Rubenskas chipped in with 10 points apiece for the Leopards.
  • The Rams were led offensively by 17 points from sophomore Tajahn Joyner (Amherst, Mass.). Joyner connected on seven-of-10 from the floor and added three steals.
  • Junior Cameren McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) also recorded double digits with 11 points and five boards. Senior Tyri Hampton (Fitchburg, Mass.) added eight points and seven rebounds for the Rams. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • The Rams opened the game taking a 7-2 lead on a pair of free throws from McCloud-Thomas.  Wentworth used a run to tie the game at 14-14.
  • Four straight from the Rams including a steal and layup from Joyner put the Rams on top 18-14, but Wentworth countered and tied the game at 20-20.
  • Framingham retook the lead 25-20 on a steal and layup in transition from junior Trevor Manyak (Bolton, Mass.), but Wentworth answered with a 10-2 run of their own to close the half and take their first lead since 2-0.  A tough drive in traffic from junior Tyler Lennon cut the Rams lead to one and a jumper from Bice put the Leopards up 26-25 before they went to the locker room leading 30-27.
  • With the game tied 33-33 early in the second half, the Leopards rattled off a 7-0 run capped by a bucket from Bice taking the lead for good in the game.
  • Wentworth extended the lead to as many as 13 in the half (53-40), but the Rams would not go away cutting the gap back to 10 on McCloud-Thomas bucket with 3:27 on the clock.
  • Wentworth used back to back hoops to push the lead back to 60-46 and held off the Rams in the closing minutes to secure the victory. 

UP NEXT:                   

The Rams are back in action on Friday night when they face Bowdoin at the Roger Williams Tip-Off Tournament, while Wentworth is back in action this weekend at the Middlebury Tip-Off Tournament.