Fourth Quarter Surge Propels Westfield State Past Women’s Basketball 93-80

Framingham, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's basketball team used an 18-5 run to begin the fourth quarter to erase a three point deficit and secure a 93-80 victory over Framingham State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Athletic Center.

With the win, the Owls improve to 14-7 on the year and are now 8-1 in the league, while the Rams slip to 13-9 overall and are now 7-3 in the MASCAC.

The Rams were led by 25 points from sophomore Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.). O'Day connected on eight-of-13 from the floor including four-of-six from behind the arc to go along with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.  Junior Tiphani Harris (Revere, Mass.) added 21 points on nine-of-13 from the floor and completed the double double with 12 rebounds. Senior Raegan Mulherin (Baldwinville, Mass.) chipped in with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals, while sophomore Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) added nine points, four rebound and six assists.

The Owls were paced by double doubles from senior Rebecca Sapouckey (Chicopee, Mass.) and junior Kierra McCarthy (Ludlow, Mass.). McCarthy tallied 18 points with 12 boards including six on the offensive glass, while Sapouckey also tallied 18 points while hauling in ten boards including five on the offensive glass.  Freshman Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) added 18 points on four-of-six from behind the arc, while junior Lucy Barrett (Williamstown, Mass.) added 14 points and sophomore Chelsea Moussette (Southampton, Mass.) 10.

In the opening quarter, the Rams led by as many as nine before the Owls closed the frame with a run to head to the second trailing by just one. In the second, the Rams built a lead of 10 points, but the Owls once again closed the frame with a run sending the game to the half tied.

The two teams traded baskets to begin the third quarter, before the Rams used a 12-2 run featuring five points by O'Day and four by Harris to take a 57-50 lead midway through the quarter.  The Owls closed the gap with a run of their own and headed to the fourth trailing by 66-63.

The Owls opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to take the lead for good in the game.  The visitors capitalized on 10 turnovers by the Rams in the final frame and shot 60% from the floor (12-20) as they tallied 30 points in the frame to pull away for the victory.

The Owls held a 44-39 edge in rebounding for the game including a 24-6 edge in offensive boards which led to 20 second chance points for Westfield.  The Rams committed 31 turnovers in the game which led to 32 points for the Owls, while only scoring 17 off Owl miscues.

Both teams resume MASCAC action on Saturday afternoon with the Rams hosting to Bridgewater State at 1 p.m. and the Owls hosting Salem State also at 1 p.m.