Wentworth Holds Off Rams Late Surge for 91-89 Win
Framingham, MA - The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team held off a late surge by the host Framingham State Rams tonight at Framingham's Athletic & Recreation Center to pull out a 91-89 non-conference win. The Leopards move to 4-1 on the season with the win, while the Rams slide to 3-5.
Wentworth jumped out to a 50-37 lead at the half as they shot an impressive 72.4% from the floor (21 of 29) in the opening frame including 5 of 8 from behind the arc. Senior guard Sherrad Prezzie-Blue (Norwalk, CT), led the way with 21 first half points on 8 of 11 from the field and junior forward Weonard Bynes (Bridgeport, CT) added 14 points on 7 of 7 shooting from the field.
The Leopards maintained their lead thru most of the second half despite cooling down from the field and shooting only 30% from the floor. The Rams mean while heated up in the second half and shot 50% from the floor (20 of 40) and were led by sophomore Josue Almodovar (Holyoke, MA) who finished with a team-high 28 points on 11 of 19 shooting.
The Rams trailed by 10 points with 2:10 remaining in the game before Almodovar hit a three to cut the lead to seven with just 1:38 remaining. After a missed free throw by the Leopards, freshman Michael Hines (Boston, MA) hit two free throws and a lay up to cut the lead to six with 1:01 remaining. After a timeout, the Rams picked up full court and Almodovar picked off the inbound pass and found a streaking Royce Veal (Dorchester, MA), who made the lay up and cut the lead to four with 53 seconds remaining. After another Leopard turnover, sophomore Bill Carey (Abington, MA) drove the lane and hit a tough shot to cut the Leopards lead to two at 86-84 with just 45 ticks remaining.
The Rams fouled on the Leopards ensuing possession and junior guard Brad Bryant (Livermore, ME) sank two free throws to push the lead back to four with 27 ticks remaining on the clock. Senior point guard Michael Costa (Holbrook, MA) took the inbounds pass and pushed the ball the length of the floor for a lay up to put the Rams back within two with just over 30 seconds remaining. Prezzie-Blue hit two free throws to push the lead back to four, but Almodovar responded with a three point play as he hit a jumper in the paint and sank a free throw to cut the lead to one with 13 seconds left. The Rams were forced to foul and Bryant hit one of two giving the Rams a chance, but Costa missed an open look and Carey's last second tip rolled out as the buzzer sounded.
Prezzie-Blue led the Leopards with a game-high 36 points on 13 of 23 shooting from the field. Bynes finished with 20 points on 10 of 11 from the field and eight boards, while freshman forward Shane West (Saco, ME) added 17 points and nine boards.
The Rams were led by Almodovar who finished with a team-high 28 points, six boards and four steals. Hines finished with a career-high 17 points and 4 boards. Carey and Veal chipped in 11 points apiece.
The Rams return to action on Thursday as they host Anna Maria College at 7:30 p.m., while the Leopards travel to the United States Coast Guard Academy on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.