Women’s Basketball Chosen as Preseason Favorite in the MASCAC
Framingham, Mass.- The Framingham State women's basketball team has been selected as the preseason favorite for the 2019-20 MASCAC Women's Basketball Championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the league.
The Rams took home four of the seven first place votes for 34 points after posting a 7-5 record during conference play last season.
The 2017-18 MASCAC Player of the Year, Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) returns for her senior season after being selected first team All-MASCAC for the second straight year. O'Day averaged 17.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, 2.67 assists and shooting 82 percent from the free throw line last season highlighted by a season-high 34 points on 14-of-26 from the floor in a win over Fitchburg on January 5th.
Also returning for the Rams is senior All-Conference guard Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) who in 26 games in last season for the Rams scored 384 points which was fifth best in the league. She shot an impressive 40-for-100 from long range and her 40% was ranked second in the conference. Velozo set a career high with 31 points on 13-of-23 from the field in a win over MCLA on February 16th.
Reigning MASCAC Tournament Champion Westfield State is second with 33 points and the final three first place votes. The Owls closed out the regular season at 10-2 for a share of the MASCAC regular season crown.
Sitting in third is Worcester State with 24 points. The Lancers grabbed the other share of the MASCAC regular season title after finishing 10-2 last season. Up next in fourth is Bridgewater State with 23 points and coming in fifth with 14 points is Fitchburg State. Closing out the preseason poll are Salem State and MCLA in sixth and seventh, respectively.
The Rams open their 2019-20 season when they host Curry College in non-conference action on Tuesday, November 12th at 6pm.