By Adam Levine
Interim Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams lost to the Salem State Vikings with a final score of 84-69, Jan. 21.
The Rams’ leading scorer was Juran Lingonde, who totaled 20 points.
Framingham’s bench outscored Salem’s bench 26-8, but Salem’s superior ability to score off turnovers and to score in the paint ultimately helped them secure the win.
Within the first 3 minutes of the game, Salem took an early 6-0 lead.
As a team, the Rams missed three, three-point field goal attempts before the Ram’s Ryan England was substituted into the game. England made his first three-point field goal and the Vikings led 6-3.
Salem and Framingham alternated baskets before the Vikings scored six consecutive free throws in less than 1 minute.
With 14:36 left in the first half, England scored a layup to end the Viking’s scoring run. The Vikings led with a score of 12-7.
After 2 minutes of the teams trading points, Lingonde scored a three-point field goal to decrease Salem’s lead to 16-13.
Over the next 4 minutes, the Vikings went on a 13-0 scoring run and increased the score to 29-13.
The Rams responded with a 6-point scoring run of their own to bring the score within 10 points.
Salem continued to impose their offense and maintained their lead for the remainder of the first half. Their largest lead of the half came after a layup with 46 seconds left, which gave the Vikings a 43-28 lead.
The remaining seconds of the half were scoreless for both teams and the Vikings maintained their 15-point lead going into the second half.
Salem’s relentless offense dominated the opening minutes of the second half.
After 6 minutes passed, the Ram’s JD Okafor scored a layup and brought the Rams’ deficit to 11 points.
The Vikings led 50-39 and went on a 5-0 scoring run over the next 3 minutes.
Salem steadily increased their lead as the game continued.
With 7:27 remaining in the game, the Vikings commanded a 22-point lead over the Rams.
Two minutes passed before the Rams began to pierce through the Vikings’ lead.
With 5:06 left in the game, and down by 21 points, the Rams staged a 7-0 scoring run.
The Vikings responded with a 7-0 scoring run of their own and regained their 21-point lead.
Framingham fought back and once again reduced their deficit to 14 points.
Salem ended the game by scoring a free throw and winning with a score of 84-69 over Framingham.
Despite Salem’s decisive victory, Framingham was able to score 69 points in the game.
England said, “We played pretty good together on offense, we just got to lock in on D.”
Framingham’s assistant coach Ribiero said, “Once we put ourselves in a hole, it was tough trying to get back out of it.”
As of presstime, the Rams suffered a loss to Worcester State, Jan. 26, and dropped to a conference record of 1-5 and an overall record of 4-15.
Framingham will travel to Bridgewater State for another conference matchup Jan. 28.