Women's Basketball Advances in UMass Boston Tournament with 51-48 Win Over Staten Island

Boston, Mass. – Sophomore guard Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) tallied a game-high 17 points to lead the Framingham State University women's basketball team to a 51-48 victory over the College of Staten Island in the opening round of the 2011 University of Massachusetts Boston Women's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament this evening at the Clark Athletic Center.

The Rams who are now 1-1 on the season will face host UMass Boston in the championship game tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. after the Beacons defeated Berkley College in the other game this evening.  Staten Island is also 1-1 on the year and will face Berkley College at 1 p.m. in the consolation game.

Hoffman connected on 6-of-13 from the floor in the game and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe to lead the Rams.  She was a rebound shy of a double double as she grabbed nine caroms in the game to go along with four steals.  Freshman guard Nicole Bostic (North Easton, Mass.) continued her solid play with eight points, six boards and four steals.

Staten Island was led by Jennifer Coughlan who scored a team-best 13 points to go along with nine boards, while Nikki Fabozzi chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Staten Island Opened up a seven point lead (15-8) midway through the first half, but the Rams responded with a 20-6 run to close the half and take the lead for good.

The Rams led 28-21 at the half on a Hoffman three in the closing minute of the frame and extended their lead to as many as nine on two occasions in the second half before holding off a late surge by Staten Island to preserve the win.