Women’s Basketball Drops MASCAC Semifinal to Top Seeded Worcester State

Worcester, Mass.— Framingham State junior Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) led all players with 26 points but the top seeded Worecester State Lancers were able to fend off the #4 seed Rams in the MASCAC Women's Basketball Semifinal by a score of 81-64 Thursday evening in Worcester.

THE BASICS
Score:  Worcester State University 81, Framingham State University 64

Records: Worcester State (20-6), Framingham State (16-10)

Location: John P. Brissette Court – Worcester, Mass.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the opening five minutes of the contest, the teams traded baskets, until Worcester State took over. With Worcester State up 10-8 midway through the quarter, the Lancers closed out the period on a 14-4 run to end the quarter ahead 24-12. Sweeney scored eight points and grabbed nine boards in the first quarter alone to help the Lancers jump out to the big lead.
• Worcester State scored the first six points of the second quarter to go ahead by a score of 30-12, but Framingham State wouldn't go down quietly, as O'Day stopped the bleeding with her first of three triples in the quarter. The teams went to the locker room with Worcester State on top 41-25.
• Neither team held a decisive territorial advantage in the third quarter, but Worcester State's sharp shooting continued to make an impact as the Lancers headed to the fourth ahead 65-44. Sweeney and senior Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) each had six points in the quarter as the Lancers led big going to the fourth.
• Framingham State would go on to outscore Worcester State 20-16 in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done, as the Lancers closed out the 81-64 win to advance to the championship game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Junior Catherine Sweeney (Lowell, Mass.) was Worcester's leading scorer on the evening with 20 points on 9-for-10 shooting, as well as adding 16 boards and 11 assists for the triple-double.
• Herring finished with a double-double for Worcester State, tallying 16 points and 11 boards. All five starters were in double figures for the Lancers, as senior Kate Surprenant (Pelham, N.H.) tallied 17, Berkel 11, and sophomore Colleen Cutting (Auburn, Mass.) 10.
• Framingham State was paced by O'Day, who finished with 26 points to lead all players. Junior Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) tallied 12 points, while senior Tiphani Harris (Revere, Mass.) contributed eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

*Release courtesy of Worcester sports information