Owls Down Women's Basketball for First MASCAC Win

Framingham, MA - Behind 19 points from junior guard Katie Sylvain (Hadley, MA) the Westfield State College women's basketball team rallied from an eleven point half time deficit to defeat the host Framingham State Rams 53-50 at Framingham's Athletic & Recreation Center.  Coming into the game both teams were winless in conference play and with the win the Owls move to 7-11 overall and 1-4 in the MASCAC, while the Rams fall to 4-11 overall and 0-6 in the MASCAC.

The Rams opened up an eleven point lead at the half as they were on fire from the floor connecting on 11 of 26 shots (42%) including 2 of 4 from behind the arc, while the Owls only shot 30% from the floor in the opening half and were only 1 of 9 from behind the arc. Sophomore Toya Chester (Leominster, MA), who finished the night with her first double double of the season (13 points & 13 rebounds) led the Rams with 12 first half points.

The Owls took their first lead of the second half, 39-37, with 10:07 remaining in the game on a foul line jumper by junior guard Lauren Sylvain (Hadley, MA), who finished the game with nine points all in the second half.  The Rams took the lead back at 41-37 on a three pointer by junior Allie Hart (Somerset, MA) and a foul line jumper from senior center Christina Bordini (Chelmsford, MA). 

The Owls responded with a 10-2 run of their own to take a 47-43 lead with 3:30 remaining.  The Rams had one last 6-0 run in them as Hart drained another three and made a layup on a tough drive to hoop to give the Rams a 49-47 lead with 1:50 remaining.  Katie Sylvain sank two free throws and a layup to give the Owls the lead for good at 51-49 with 57 seconds remaining.  The Rams sank one of two free throws on their next possession and that was as close as they would get as junior forward Andrea Wasuk (Lenox, MA) hit two of two from the line to give the Owls a three point lead with ten seconds remaining. The Owls held on for the win as the Rams final shot rattled out.

Hart finished the game with a team and season-high 14 points on 3 of 5 from behind the arc, while  Bordini finished with eight points and seven boards.

Both teams return to action on Saturday as the Rams travel to Lesley for a 7 p.m. game, while the Owls host MCLA at 1 p.m.