Framingham State Takes Down Lancers, 78-74

Framingham State 78, Worcester State 74

Box Score

Framingham, MA --- Framingham State junior Roderick Jackson (Cambridge, MA) scored a game-high 25 points with eight rebounds to help the Rams defeat visiting Worcester State this evening 78-74. The Lancers tried to erase a 23 point deficit over the games last nine minutes, but their bid came short in the games waning seconds.

With the win the Rams improve to 12-10 while the Lancers fall to 11-11. Both teams now stand tied for fourth place in the MASCAC at 4-5.

With the Rams leading in the opening stanza 18-15, with 9:22 on the clock, Framingham State outscored the Lancers 20-4 over the next six minutes to take their largest advantage of the half at 38-19. WSC rattled off seven straight to trail 38-27, but the Rams ended the half with a 5-0 run to lead 43-27.

Coming out of the locker room for the second half of play, Framingham State continued to score and take a commanding 62-39 lead with 9:05 left to play. The Lancers cut the deficit to 13 points at the 7:26 mark, but that was as close as they would get over the next five minutes.

Both teams continued to trade baskets and the Rams maintained a double-digit lead at 72-58 with 3:34 on the clock until WSC went on a 14-4 spurt to close the gap to four points with 19 seconds left on a trey by junior Raheem Lewis (Whitinsville, MA).

On their next possession, Framingham State missed a golden opportunity to make it a two score game with a missed lay-up and the Lancers responded with a Maurice Horton (Detroit, MI) field goal to make the score 76-74 with 10 seconds left. Following a WSC time-out, FSC junior Darius Yarell (Brockton, MA) was promptly fouled and he then canned a pair of free throws to put the game away for the final score.

Horton paced the Lancers with 24 points with six assists and a season-low six rebounds while junior Brandon Fortes (Pawtucket, RI) notched 12 second-half points (14 total). Lewis finished the evening with 12 points with a game-best five steals while junior Patrick Hamilton (Templeton, MA) finished with seven points and eight boards.

Yarrell and junior Josue Almodovar (Holyoke, MA) added 15 apiece for the Rams while Yarrell handed out seven assists.

The two teams finished almost even in several categories with the Lancers edging out Framingham State in rebounds (33-31) and second chance points (16-10) while the Rams had advantages with points in the paint (38-34) and points off of turnovers (20-18).

Both teams will play MASCAC opponents on Tuesday evening. Worcester State will entertain Fitchburg at 8 PM while Framingham State travels to Salem State for a 6 o’clock tip-off.