Men’s Basketball Shoots Past MCLA 79-57

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's basketball team received a career-high 27 points from junior guard Daniel Gould (Quincy, Mass.) as the Rams defeated MCLA 79-57 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at the Athletic Center.     

With the win, the Rams improve to 4-11 on the year and are now 1-3 in the conference, while the Trailblazers dip to 4-11 and are in still in search of their first conference victory at 0-4.

Gould led the Rams connecting on 8-of-11 from the field including 5-of-6 from behind the arc in route to his career-high 27. Gould was also a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.  Sophomore Tony Alexandre (Hyde Park, Mass.) collected his third double double of the season with 12 points and a game-best 14 rebounds.  Senior Tim McCarthy (Wilmington, Mass.) chipped in with nine points and four assists, while junior Tim Mangano (Winchester, Mass.) added eight.

The Rams grabbed the early lead in the opening minutes thanks to a pair of threes Gould and extended the lead to as many as 10 midway through the frame after a pair of buckets in the paint from freshman Charles Valbrun (Hyde Park, Mass.).  The Trailblazers cut into the lead pulling within six (30-24) on a Khalil Paul basket, but a Benjamin Roche three in the closing minute of the frame allowed the Rams to take a 35-27 lead into the locker room. 

The Trailblazers cut the lead down to six on a three point play from sophomore Joe Wiggins just over four minutes into the second, but the Rams responded with an 18-4 run over the next six minutes sparked by back-to-back threes from Gould to take control of the game with 58-38 lead.  Mangano connected on a pair of jumpers to close the spurt.

The Trailblazers were led by 12 points from Paul, while Careem Kirksey added 11.  Isshiah Coleman narrowly missed a double double for the visitors tallying 10 points and grabbing a team-best nine boards.

The Rams are back in action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Connecticut College for a non-conference game beginning at 7 p.m., while the Trailblazers are return home on Wednesday evening when they host Fitchburg State in a MASCAC contest at 7:30 p.m.