Rams Top Vikings 88-60

SALEM, Mass. - Mary Kate O'Day (Berlin, Mass.) produced 24 points (FG 5-11, FT 13-15), nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to lift the Framingham State Rams to an 88-60 victory over the Salem State Vikings on Wednesday evening from Twohig Gymnasium. O'Day populated the stat sheet as the Rams advance to 12-5 on the season and 4-0 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Salem State drops to 4-12 on the year and 1-4 in the MASCAC.

Emily Velozo (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored nine straight points for the Rams as Framingham State jumped out to an 18-8 lead in the first quarter. Velozo's nine points came from two shots from behind the arc and after converting on a three-point play.

With 2:05 left in the first quarter, Julia Mattera (Arlington, Mass.) nailed a pull-up jumper to trim the deficit to seven as Framingham State led 20-13.

Trailing 29-24 in the second quarter, Mia Crawley (Hyannis, Mass.) splashed a three just as the shot clock expired with 5:14 left to pull Salem State to within a bucket.

The Rams led 41-30 at the half. O'Day finished the first half with eight points (FG 2-6, FT 3-4), six rebounds, and three blocks.

Framingham State shot 41.7% (FG 15-36) from the field and on the other side, Salem State converted on 32.4% (FG 12-37) of their shot attempts.

In the third quarter, the Rams were aggressive attacking the rim with 15 free throw attempts, converting 12 of them. Framingham State commandeered a 61-46 lead at the end of the third quarter.

O'Day's layup on the second chance pushed the Rams to a 69-48 lead with 8:05 left in the fourth quarter as Framingham State kept the lead above 20 points.

For the game, the Rams finished shooting the ball 37.2% (FG 29-78) while the Vikings made 33.3% (FG 21-63) of their shot attempts.

Velozo finished with 24 points (FG 7-15, 3PT 4-9) and eight rebounds. Flannery O'Connor (Amesbury, Mass.) had double figures in points with 15 (FG 7-12) for Framingham State.

For Salem State, Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) scored 19 points (FG 6-12, FT 7-8) and blocked three shots. Nicole Freddo (Marblehead, Mass.) added 10 points (FG 4-13, FT 2-4) and eight rebounds.