By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams won their past two games, defeating the Worcester State Lancers 83-55 Jan. 20 and the Fitchburg State Falcons 83-41 Jan. 24.
The Rams’ starting five dominated the Lancers’, scoring a combined 77 of the team’s 83 points. The team shot a combined 90% on free throw attempts, making 18 of their 20.
Framingham center Flannery O’Connor said free throws can “make or break a game.”
She said, “We do a lot of free throw shooting at practice.
“It's very important and we really like to hone in on that,” O’Connor added.
Head Coach Walter Paschal said, “We have some older kids that understand the importance of them.
“If we make 20 a game, that helps,” he added.
Framingham point guard Gwendolyn Carpenter led the Rams to their victory and recorded her first career triple-double, scoring 20 points and recording 11 rebounds and 10 assists. She also contributed three steals and a block on the defensive end and only gave up one turnover on offense.
“It's very cool,” Carpenter said. “And I think it also goes to show how well we play as a team together. Obviously, I can't do any of that without my teammates and they finish baskets and passes that I have to get those assists. It goes to show how well we work together.”
Framingham took an early 4-0 lead, but the Lancers quickly fought back. They scored 6 points in a row and took their first, and only, lead of the game.
The Rams then took over the game and never took their foot off the gas pedal. They outscored the Lancers in each of the four quarters, propelling them to victory.
Their win over the Lancers continues the Rams’ perfect 8-0 home record.
Carpenter said, “I think it's always fun when we get to play home. We have a home crowd - usually, we have a good turnout.
“It’s kind of our motto: ‘We don't let people come in here and take things from us.’ So it’s a goal of ours to win at home,” she added.
During their second matchup of the week, the Rams beat the Falcons 83-41 on Fitchburg’s home court.
Framingham’s defense led to their offensive success. The team recorded a season-high 22 steals and capitalized by scoring 33 points off turnovers.
O’Connor led the team in steals, recording five of her own. She tied with her teammate, forward Kelsey Yelle, by scoring a game-high of 20 points.
“Defense is the key to every game,” O’Connor said. “If you get the stops you are looking for, it puts you in a really good position to win the game. We have gone up against some pretty successful teams this season and what pushed us forward in those games has been our defense!”
Yelle said, “We made good defensive plays that helped slow down Fitchburg’s offense, which ultimately led to our victory and, after a slow start, we came out in the second half ready to work together to get the victory.”
Once again, the Rams dominated their opponent, outscoring the Falcons during each of the four quarters, which included a 35-12 third quarter.
Yelle said, “The key to the team’s victory against Fitchburg was pushing the ball, finding the open players, and taking good quality shots.
“It ended up being a great team win,” she added.
The Rams now hold an overall record of 16-2 and a conference record of 5-1, suffering their only MASCAC loss to Bridgewater State.
Carpenter said, “That Bridgewater game was not a good game and we want that one back. So I think we'll be excited to see them again.”
Framingham travels to Westfield State to begin the second round of MASCAC matchups Jan. 27.
Yelle said, “The team is excited to go into the second round of MASCAC matchups.
“It is always one game at a time and not every game will look the same, but if we continue to work together and play as hard as we can, then we have a great chance to end up going far,” she added.