Men’s Basketball Survives for 44-42 Victory over Lesley

Release by Andrew Mowry

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State Rams were able to win their third consecutive game defeating Lesley University, 44-42, this evening in non-conference men's basketball action.

Senior Tyrone Figueroa (Revere, Mass.) scored the go-ahead basket on a left-handed lay-in with just under five seconds left after Kris Bennett (Inglewood, CA) for the Lynx tied up the game on the previous possession on a put back, just barely beating the shot clock.

Despite not having a single player score in double-digits, the Rams were able to use their stingy defense to escape with a victory.  Junior Yemi Ajao (Randolph, Mass.) had a team-high nine points to along with six rebounds. 

"We started poorly, but we kept grinding," Head Coach Paul Wholey of the Rams said following the game.

Offensively the Rams struggled as they shot 1-17 from three-point territory as Lesley shot just over 44% from deep.

"When shots aren't falling you need to play great defense to stay in the game," Figueroa said afterwards.

And that's exactly how Framingham won the game, forcing 27 turnovers resulting in 16 points for the Rams.   The Framingham bench also scored 26 points while the only points from the Lesley bench came from a Brian Glodowski (Roseville, CA) three. 

Donald Morris Head Coach of the Lynx said after the game, "if we could have eliminated some of those turnovers we would have put ourselves in a better situation to win the game."

As for the final points of the game, Figueroa said, "it was designed to spread everyone out and for me to drive to the basket.  I was able to drive to the lane and forced the defender out on the shooter and was able to get to the basket."

Coach Wholey added, "I know he (Figueroa) is not afraid to take a big shot." 

Sophomore guard Justin Rosa (East Brunswick, NJ) had a game-high 18 points for the Lynx, while Mike Kaufman (Boca Raton, FL) had 11 of his own.  With the loss, the Lynx move to 1-3 on the season and will now rest up before they travel to Emerson this Thursday. 

As for the Rams (3-1), they will look for their fourth consecutive victory this Thursday, as they welcome Mount Ida to the Athletic Center.