Westfield State Defeats Framingham State in Conference Opener

The Framingham State University men’s basketball team opened Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play Thursday evening at home where they suffered a 66-45 loss to the Westfield State University Owls at the Athletic Center.

With the win, the Owls improve to 7-5 on the season and are now 1-0 in the MASCAC, while the Rams slip to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Editor’s Note: Cummings Photography covered the game for Framingham Patch. We will post a slideshow of photos when the photos arrive.

Trailing 25-24 with just under six minutes remaining in the first, the Owls closed the frame with an 11-3 run taking the lead for good and a 35-28 advantage into the break. Senior Grant Cooper fueled the run with five points including a three point play to start the spurt.

The Rams cut the Owls lead back to four on a three point play from senior forward Patrick Cuff with 11:39 left in the contest, but the Owls closed the game with a 21-4 run to secure the victory.

Sophomore Jesus Sanchez led the Owls with a team-high 17 points off the bench. Sanchez connected on 6-of-11 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds including four on the offensive end. Senior Robby Jones finished with 15 points, while Cooper recorded a double double with 12 points and a game-best 10 rebounds. Senior Andre King was the only other Owls to reach double figures with 10 points.

The Rams were led by a game-high 20 points from junior guard Joe McCabe. McCabe connected on 6-of-11 from the field including 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Cuff finished the game with seven points and a team-high nine rebounds, while junior Tim McCarthy chipped in with six points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Owls held a 36-14 edge in points in the paint for the game and a slim 35-30 advantage on the glass.

The Owls shot 53% from the field, while the Rams connected on just 29% of their offerings.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday, when they host Fitchburg State University in a MASCAC contest beginning at 3 p.m.

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Release courtesy of Framingham State athletics.