By Liam Gambon
The Framingham State Rams hosted Regis on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
The Rams were dominated by the Pride in the first half. Regis opened the half on a 13-0 run and eventually led 19-2. The Pride would finish the half with a 43-25 lead.
The only Ram to score in double-digits in the first half was Emmanuel Payton. He dropped 10 points to go along with two steals. Tyri Hampton followed him with six points and two rebounds.
Framingham was heavily outperformed in shooting percentage. The Rams shot 29.7 percent from the field and only 12.5 percent from 3-point range. The Pride shot an efficient 58.1 percent from the field and a perfect 100 percent from 3-point range.
The Rams shot much better in the second half, as they fired 43.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arch.
The efficient shooting was not enough to overcome their large deficit, however. They matched Regis’ point total for the second half at 45, leading to an 88-70 loss.
Payton shined in the loss as he came away with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a game-high four steals. Hampton dropped 10 points, to along with eight rebounds.
The main factor in the loss for the Rams was their shooting percentage. Despite a strong second-half shooting performance, the Rams still finished with a 37.2 field-goal percentage.
The following week, the Rams faced off against Wheaton at home.
Wheaton led by halftime, up 29-27. Both teams traded off leads in the first half, but it was Wheaton that was on top in the end.
Framingham’s main source of production came off their bench, as Matthew Rohelia scored eight points on 50 percent shooting, to go along with two rebounds. Cameron McCloud-Thomas scored six points of his own off the bench, along with two rebounds.
The Rams were outperformed in the second half. The Lyons outscored Framingham 40-25, to win the game 69-52. The Lyons took control of the second half early, coming out on a 13-2 run in the first seven minutes. Framingham’s comeback came up just short, as Wheaton secured the victory with efficient shooting.
The Rams’ loss came as a result of their poor shooting again, as they shot 33.9 percent from the field and 20 percent from 3-point range.
Hampton, McCloud-Thomas, and Rohelia led the way for the Rams.
Hampton collected 13 points on 62-percent shooting.
McCloud-Thomas scored 10 points on 80-percent shooting, to go along with six rebounds. Rohelia came away with 10 points on 60-percent shooting. He also pulled down four rebounds and contributed defensively with one steal and two blocks.
The Rams are now 1-4 on the season.