Women’s Basketball Chosen as MASCAC Favorite
Westfield, Mass.— The Framingham State women's basketball program has been selected by the seven coaches around the league to win the 2015-16 MASCAC Women's Basketball Championship.
Collecting five of the seven first place votes, Framingham State tallied 35 points for the top spot in the poll. The Rams finished last season with a 7-5 record in conference play. The duo of Sarah Palace (Auburn, Mass.) and Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) return for the team after averaging 11.3 and 13.1 points last season, respectively. Rackliffe led the Rams in rebounds with an average of 8.3 per game.
Bridgewater State is in the second slot with a first place vote to give them 28 points. The reigning MASCAC Tournament Champions, the Bears closed out the conference season with an 8-4 record.
2014-15 MASCAC regular season champions Westfield State earned 26 points in the poll for third place. The Owls had a perfect 12-0 record in MASCAC competition last season.
Earning the final first place vote for 25 points and the fourth spot is Worcester State. The Lancers netted a 7-5 record during the conference season last year.
Fitchburg State lands in the fifth slot with 13 points. The Falcons had four MASCAC victories during the 2014-15 campaign.
Closing out the poll are MCLA and Salem State in sixth with 12 points and seventh place with eight points, respectively. The Trailblazers netted a win during the 2014-15 conference campaign and the Vikings had three wins in MASCAC play.
All seven teams kickoff their season this weekend, November 13-15, with non-conference contests.
2015-16 MASCAC Women's Basketball Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
|
1. |
Framingham State |
(5) |
35 points |
|
2. |
Bridgewater State |
(1) |
28 points |
|
3. |
Westfield State |
|
26 points |
|
4. |
Worcester State |
(1) |
25 points |
|
5. |
Fitchburg State |
|
13 points |
|
6. |
MCLA State |
|
12 points |
|
7. |
Salem State |
|
8 points |
*Release courtesy of MASCAC media relations*