Strong Second Half Sends Worcester State Past Men's Basketball

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's basketball team were defeated at home tonight 81-72 by Worcester State Univeristy in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Athletic Center. 

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Worcester State 81, Framingham State 72

- Records: Framingham State (5-15, 4-4 MASCAC), Worcester State (11-10, 4-4 MASCAC)

- Location: Athletic Center – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The two teams traded baskets and the lead over the first six minutes of the game, before the Rams used a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead on three from senior Manny Payton (Fitchburg, Mass.) with 12:29 on the clock.
• The Lancers closed the gap to 18-16 on a three point play from junior Shaun McCarthy (Oxford, Mass.) with 11 on the clock.
• The Rams pushed the lead back to five before the Lancers tied the game at 25-25 on a freebie from McCarthy.
• The Lancers closed the frame with a 12-6 run taking a 37-31 lead at the break.
• Worcester State opened the second half with a 5-0 run extending the advantage to 42-31, but the Rams cut the gap to seven on a layup from junior Tyri Hampton (Fitchburg, Mass.) with just over 13 minutes remaining.
• Worcester extended the lead back to 12 on a McCarthy free throw with just over ten on the clock.  The Rams answered and closed the gap to six (63-57) after a layup from senior Khaneil Bruce (Cambridge, Mass.) and a long two from Payton.
• Worcester extended the lead back to as many as 12 with two minutes remaining, before a Payton hit a jumper in the final seconds to reach the final margin.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Payton, who did not come off the floor during the game, led all scorers with a game-best 30 points on 12-of-20 from the floor. He added five boards and two assists.
• Sophomore Cameren McCloud-Thomas (Springfield, Mass.) added 14 points and six rebounds, while classmate Trevor Manyak was the third Ram in double figures with 13 points.
• The Lancers were paced by 17 points apiece from McCarthy and sophomore Erik Bjorn.  McCarthy finished with a double double as he grabbed a game-best 13 boards.
• Junior Frantz Francois (Boston, Mass.) added 12 points for the visitors off the bench, while junior Tyler Dion added 11.

UP NEXT:                   

The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they host Salem State in a MASCAC tilt at 1 p.m., while the Lancers travel to MCLA on Saturday at 3 p.m.