Minor Leads Women’s Basketball Past Westfield State 61-52

Framingham, Mass. - Freshman forward Kia Minor (Oak Bluffs, Mass.) scored 18 points off the bench to lead the Framingham State College women's basketball team to a 61-52 win today over the Westfield State Owls at Framingham's Athletic Center. 

The Rams have now won two straight MASCAC games for the first time since 2003 and snap a 12 game losing streak against the Owls that also dates back to the 2003 season.  Framingham State improves to 2-4 in conference and 7-8 overall on the year, while with the loss the Owls drop to 7-10 overall and 1-4 in the MASCAC. 

Westfield State struggled from the floor in the first half shooting only 31% from the field (9-29), while the Rams hit 52% of their offerings including 3-of-3 from behind the arc.

The Rams opened up a 20-11 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first after back-to-back hoops from freshman Michelle Hagerty (Somerville, Mass.) and senior Toya Chester (Leominster, Mass.).  The Rams maintained their lead and extended it to as many as 13 before heading into the break up 32-23.

Framingham State extended their lead in the second half to 14 points with 11:13 remaining in the game, before Westfield State went on a 14-3 run to pull within five at 48-43 with 4:57 remaining.  Minor scored the Rams next six points on two free throws and two buckets to put Framingham State back up nine.  The Rams hit five of six free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Minor finished the game 6-of-12 from the field and 6-of-8 from the line for her 12, while juniors Nicole McConaghy (Medford, Mass.) and Jill Johnson (Mansfield, Mass.) added nine points apiece.

The Owls were led by freshman guard Angela Paterson who finished with a team-high 11 points, while Ashley Finnegan (Worcester, Mass.) added ten. 

The Rams return to action on Tuesday as they host Suffolk at 6 p.m., while the Owls host Fitchburg State on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.