Strong Second Half Propels Salem State Past Men’s Basketball

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's basketball team was defeated this afternoon 54-40 by Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action the Athletic Center.   

With the win, the Vikings improve to 12-11 on the year and move to 4-6 in the conference, while the loss drops the Rams to 6-16 overall and 1-10 in the MASCAC.

The Vikings were led by 15 points off the bench from senior guard Bryan Ortiz (Salem, Mass.).  Ortiz connected on 3-of-6 from behind the arc and went 6-for-6 from the line.  Classmate Hamed Akanni (Fitchburg, Mass.) was the other Viking in double figures with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.  Freshman Shaquan Murray (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with nine points and three steals.

The Rams, who struggled from behind the arc in game shooting just 17% from three (4-of-24), were led by 10 points from junior Joe McCabe (Canton, Mass.).  McCabe connected on 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and picked up three boards and two assists.  Senior Patrick Cuff (Medway, Mass.) finished with six points and game-best 12 rebounds, while junior Tim McCarthy (Wilmington, Mass.) finished with seven points, two assists and a steal.

The Rams opened the game with a 7-0 run and held the Vikings without a field goal until 13:14 mark when Ortiz connected on three from the wing. The Rams extended the lead to eight (18-10) on a McCarthy drive and shot in the paint with six minutes remaining, but the Vikings closed the half with a 9-2 run to pull within one at the break. 

After trading baskets to start the second half, the Vikings took the lead for good on a deep three from Ortiz with 15:24 on the clock.  The Vikings extended the lead to double digits midway through the frame and led by as many as 17 before securing the victory.

Prior to the game, the Rams honored their two seniors, Cuff and Ronnie DeBarros (New Bedford, Mass.).  DeBarros finished the game with five points including a three at the final buzzer.

The Rams are back in action Tuesday evening when host Maine-Fort Kent in a non-conference contest beginning at 6 p.m., while the Vikings resume MASCAC action Tuesday  at Bridgewater State at 7:30 p.m.