Women’s Basketball Sails Away From Vikings, 67-51

Framingham, Mass. – Senior Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) poured in 19 points and freshman Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) registered a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds off the bench as the Framingham State University women's basketball team collected their second Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory in as many games with a 67-51 decision over visiting Salem State at Framingham's Athletic Center on Tuesday evening.

With the win, the Rams even out at 8-8 overall and move to 2-3 in the conference while the Vikings dip to 6-10 and 1-3 in the loop.

Junior Nicole Bostic (Easton, Mass.) added 10 points while she and Hoffman each corralled eight boards apiece. Hoffman ended the night with 1,215 career points and is now 14 away from tying Maureen Faulkner (84-87) for second place on the program's all-time scoring list.

Salem State junior Rachael Carter (Merrimack, N.H.) led the way for the Vikings with 18 points and 17 rebounds – 11 offensive – as senior Ginny Fleming (Peabody, Mass.) also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.

The Rams jumped out to a 9-2 lead 3:12 into the contest. The spurt was highlighted by a triple and a bucket by Hoffman before the Vikings went on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 12:47.  Fleming sparked the run with a traditional three-point play while Carter hit a layup and a pair of free throws for the only lead of the game with 12:47 left in the first half. Framingham State then began to slowly pull away and with 1:20 to go in the stanza built up an 18 point cushion.

After the intermission, the Vikings chipped into their double-digit deficit and pulled within nine after a layup by senior Ashley White (Salem, Mass.) with 15:40 to go in the second. Later in the frame, a three-point play by Carter made it a six point ballgame with 6:17 to go. The Rams began to distance themselves once again and had a 19 point margin before rookie Jess Kuzmickas (Windsor Locks, Conn.) hit a late three for the 67-51 final.

Framingham State capitalized with 11 of the 16 points off turnovers and received 24 points off the bench. Salem State held a 34-16 margin in the paint.

Both squads take a break from conference action on Thursday as the Rams entertain UMass Dartmouth at 6:00 p.m. while Salem State treks to Rivier for a 7:00 p.m. tip.