Worcester State Falls To Framingham State, 55-53, In MASCAC Play

Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Michelle Hagerty (Somerville, MA) drained the game-winning shot with 6.7 seconds left in the game to help lead Framingham State to a 55-53 triumph over Worcester State this evening in MASCAC women's basketball action.

The Blue and Gold (8-7, 2-1 MASCAC) led by as much as nine points midway through the second period (46-37) before the Rams (9-7, 1-2 MASCAC) used a 13-0 run to take a four-point lead with 5:58 left which included back-to-back trey's by freshman Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, MA) to cap off the run.

WSU sophomore Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, MA) converted a lay-up at 3:09 to help Worcester State trail by two before sophomore Patrecia Bradshaw (Cambridge, MA) hit the back end of a one-and-one at the charity stripe for to go back up by three.

At the 1:50 mark Worcester State went on a 5-0 run as sophomore Kara Rogers (Lowell, MA) netted a trey to tie the score and then freshman Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) used a coast-to-coast lay-up off of a steal to put WSU up 53-51.  With 49 ticks left in the game, sophomore Kia Minor (Edgartown, MA) scored on a lay-up to tie the score up 53-53.

After a missed lay-up by the Lancers, the Rams ran down the clock as Hagerty converted the game-winner with a 10-foot left elbow jump shot.

WSU had a chance to tie the score when Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) made a last ditch effort at the net, but her shot rimmed back to Burns. With one second Burns went up for a lay-up, but her shot was blocked by Bradshaw to seal the win.

Framingham State led by as many as 11 points with 11:04 left to play (17-6) before Worcester State used a 24-7 scoring barrage to take a 30-24 lead into the locker room.

Hoffman led the Rams with 16 points, five assists and three steals while Bradshaw poured in 13 points off the bench. Hagerty and senior Nicole McConaghy (Medford, MA) each combined for 13 boards for FSU.

Burns paced the Lancers as she scored 11 of her 16 points in the opening frame. O'Keefe finished with 12 points and six rebounds as Charette contributed totals of six points, eight boards and three assists. Senior Becca Giguere (W. Brookfield, MA) also handed out six assists in the setback.

Worcester State held a slight edge in the total rebounds (32-31) and offensive caroms (15-13) while they also held lead in points in the paint (30-24). Framingham State held the advantage in points off turnovers (23-17) with 15 points alone in the second frame off of 11 Lancer miscues.

Both squads shot near 40 percent for the game, but neither did well from beyond the arc. Worcester connected for just three of their 15 attempts (20 percent) while the visitors went four for 12 from three point land (33 percent).

The two teams will play again on Tuesday at 5:30 PM. Worcester State makes the trek up I-190 to Fitchburg State while Framingham State hosts Salem State.