Women’s Basketball Opens MASCAC Play with Win at Salem State

Salem, Mass.- Framingham State sophomore Raegan Mulherin (Baldwinsville, MA) scored 25 points as the Rams defeated the Vikings of Salem State 65-50 in the MASCAC opener for both teams on Wednesday night at Twohig Gymnasium. With the win the Rams improve to 8-4 and 1-0 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference competition. The loss moves Salem State to 3-10 and 0-1 in the MASCAC.
 
Mulherin wasted no time getting the Rams going in the first half as she helped Framingham State jump out to a 11-2 lead as she led a 9-0 run in the opening minutes of the contest with a three pointer. The Vikings were ridden with turnovers as they committed 11 in the first period that the Rams converted into 11 points. Framingham ended the first period and opened up the second on a 14-0 run that put them ahead 23-5 just before halftime. After the slow start on offense Salem State was able to cut the lead to 27-17 with the help of Sarah Callahan (Pelham, NH) and Kaitlyn Bryan (Lowell, MA) who each knocked down a three-pointer in the final minutes of the half. Although they led by 10 at the half, Framingham State shot a dismal 1-13 (.077%) from beyond the arc while the Vikings went 3-9 (.033%).
 
Despite the scoring draught in the first half, Salem State outscored the Rams 26-17 in the third quarter that eventually helped them tie the game at 43-43 with 1:30 remaining in the third. The Vikings shooters improved from shooting 22.2% from the floor in the first half to 31.6% in the second half. Salem State knocked down three consecutive three pointers in three possessions that came from Malissa Saad (Worcester, MA), Bryan and Callahan that brought Salem State to within two. In the next possession, Callahan knotted the game at 43-43 on a Callahan mid- range jumper. However, Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, MA) hit one free throw to help Framingham State take a 44-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
After allowing the Vikings to come back in the third period, the Rams' defense made some changes that held the Vikings to only seven points in the fourth while they went on to add 21 points. Mulherin led the Rams in the fourth quarter with 11 points while Rackliffe, Tiphani Harris (Revere, MA) and Monta Connolly (Lynn, MA) dominated in the paint as they scored 10 of their 21 points down low. Harris added 14 points while shooting 8-8 from the free throw line that helped the Rams secure a 65-50 victory.
 
Rackliffe finished with 12 points while grabbing 14 rebounds as the Rams slightly out rebounded the Vikings' 51-50.
 
Bryan led Salem State with 12 points on 4-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Callahan and Kia Fernandes (Wareham, MA) both added 10 points.
 
Salem State hosts Worcester State on Saturday at 1:00 PM while Framingham State travels to Bridgewater State for a 1:00 PM tip-off. 

*Release courtesy of Salem State sports information