Matt Ferris
Sports Editor
Framingham State opened up its season on Nov. 15 with a non-conference road game against Newbury College.
The first half started very close with both teams trading buckets.
About midway through the first half, the Nighthawks went on a 12-4 run to put themselves up 10 over the Rams. The run consisted of three made 3-point field goals.
The Rams would eventually heat up, as they ended the half on a 14-4 run to give themselves the lead going into halftime, 34-33.
During its run, Framingham went 4-for-4 from the free throw line, 2-for-3 from behind the three point arc and shot 50 percent from the field.
Framingham was led by Wesley Ogbevoen and Tony Alexandre in the @rst half. Ogbevoen had 11 points and three rebounds, while Alexandre went for seven rebounds to go along with 10 points.
The teams went back and forth in the second half with eight lead changes and two ties throughout.
With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Devin Johnson was able to convert a lay-up plus the foul shot for a three point play to put Newbury up 72-65.
Framingham went on a run of its own in the last two minutes to cut the deficit. Steve Vayda made consecutive triples for the Rams to cut the lead to 72-71 with just a minute remaining.
Following a missed jump shot by the Nighthawks, Framingham took the lead with just 27 seconds remaining. Tim Mangano was able to convert a lay-up for Rams to put them up 73-72.
After a timeout, Newbury missed a three point jump shot with seven seconds left. Manny Payton grabbed the rebound for the Rams and was fouled.
Payton went to the free throw line and knocked down both of his shots to push the lead to 75-72 with three seconds left.
The Nighthawks pushed the ball and got a good look to tie the game but the shot came up short giving the Rams a 75-72 victory to open the season.
Payton led the Rams with 17 points and six assists. Ogbevoen finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Alexandre led the Rams with 14 rebounds. He also chipped in 12 points to get his double-double. Vayda contributed 13 points for Framingham and had eight rebounds to go along with four assists.
Newbury’s Daivon Johnson led all scorers in the game with 19 points.
Framingham shot 38 percent from the field and had 44 rebounds, 17 assists and 13 turnovers.
The win moves the Rams to 1-0 on the season.