Women's Basketball Falls to Westfield State on Senior Night

Release by Andrew Mowry

Framingham, Mass. - The Westfield State University Owls took a two-point halftime lead and turned it into a 71-59 victory against the Framingham State Rams on Tuesday night in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's action. 

Sophomore Gabby Felix (Springfield, Mass.) led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, as she was one of four Owls to score in double figures. 

Framingham State was outscored 42-14 in the paint and could not overcome poor shooting nights from their three leading scorers.   Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, ME), Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.), and Kia Minor (Edgartown, Mass.) who combined average about 45 points per game on the season, combined for just 25 points on Tuesday. 

Sophomore Margo McCarthy (Southampton, Mass.) had a career-high 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three.  Her 10 first half points helped keep the game close, as the Rams only trailed by two at the half.

Westfield would have their way with the Rams in the second half and helped remain just above the Rams in the MASCAC standings, improving to 8-3 in conference play. 

"Framingham is a fantastic team and a great home team," Head Coach of the Owls Andrea Bertini would say afterwards.  "We had to get this one and you want to be playing well this time of year."

Despite the loss, the Rams are still in great shape to host a home game in the first round of the MASCAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament.  The Rams have one of the best home records in the league as Tuesday was only their second loss all season at home. 

Senior captain Kia Minor said her team remains, "hopeful" despite the loss. 

"If we can play like we know we can, we can beat anybody.  When we run, no one can stop us but sometimes we freeze up and it takes away from our game," Minor would also add.   

The Rams (13-10, 6-6 MASCAC) still have one final regular season game this Thursday when they travel to Rivier in a non-conference matchup. 

Westfield State (16-8, 8-3 MASCAC) will wrap up their regular season this Saturday when they host Fitchburg State. 

For the Rams, Patrecia Bradshaw (cambridge, Mass.)  along with Minor and Park all were acknowledged before the game on their senior night.  With 16 seconds remaining, all three were removed from the game receiving a standing ovation from those in attendance.