Men's Basketball Falls at Worcester State

Worcester, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's basketball team was defeated 77-59 this evening by Worcester State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Brissette Court. 

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Worcester State 77, Framingham State 59

- Records: Framingham State (2-12, 1-1 MASCAC), Worcester State (8-7, 1-1 MASCAC)

- Location: Brissette Court – Worcester, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After the two teams traded baskets during the game's opening minutes, the Lancers used an 13-2 run capped by a layup from sophomore Chris Cardoso to take a 20-8 lead midway through the first.
• The Rams answered with a run over their own cutting the deficit to five with five minutes on the clock. The Rams outscored the Lancers 12-5 on the stretch that was capped by a layup from freshman Matt Rohelia (North Providence, RI) that cut the deficit to 25-20.
• The Lancers extended the lead back to 11 just over two minutes later on a layup from Frantz Francois before taking a 34-22 lead into the half.
• Senior Manny Payton (Fitchburg, Mass.) knocked down a three to open the second half, but seven straight points from the Lancers pushed the lead to 41-25.
• The Rams pulled within 10 on a layup from sophomore Cameren McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.), but the Lancers rattled off a 16-6 run pushing the lead to 20 (57-37) midway through the half.  The Lancers would extend the lead to as many as 22 before securing the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Payton connected on eight-of-16 from the floor in the game in route to a team-high 21 points. He just missed a double double grabbing nine boards in the contest with four assists, a steal and a block.
• McCloud-Thomas finished the game with 16 points and eight rebounds after connecting on eight-of-13 from the floor, while senior Khaneil Bruce (Cambridge, Mass.) recorded a double double with 11 points and 11 boards to go along with three steals.
• The Lancers were led by 22 points from Shaun McCarthy. McCarthy connected on nine-of-12 from the floor and added 11 boards to complete the double double.
• Tyler Dion chipped in with 16 points, while Cardoso finished the game with 13 and five rebounds.
• The Rams shot 36% from the floor for the game, but just 13% from behind the arc, while the Lancers connected on 48% of their offerings and 35% from long range.

UP NEXT:

The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Salem State for a MASCAC game beginning at 1 p.m., while the Lancers host MCLA on Saturday at 1 p.m.