Rams survive second half push by AMCATS

PAXTON, Mass. – Led by Kia Minor's (Edgartown, Mass.) double-double and Jill Johnson's (Mansfield, Mass.) game-high 19 points, the Framingham State University women's basketball team, defeated Anna Maria College 63-42 at The Fuller Activities Center in non-conference action on Tuesday night. The win improves the Rams to 2-1 (0-0 MASCAC), while the loss drops the AMCATS to 2-2 (0-0 TCCC) on the young season. For the visitors, Johnson was 4-of-5 from downtown, while Minor added 14 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive) and Nicole McConaghy (Medford, Mass.) filled the stat-sheet with five points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine) and Samantha Ashton (Worcester, Mass.) played well for the AMCATS, as Cummings compiled 13 points, seven rebounds and three 3-pointers, while Ashton chipped in with nine points and six boards. Early in the first half, the game was evenly matched, as the visitors held a slight 18-13 advantage. The Rams then exploded for a 14-0 run to take a 35-18 advantage into intermission.  Prior to the run, Kia Minor lost two teeth on a hard-offensive rebound. She left the game momentarily, however, displayed an admirable amount of toughness, as she chipped in with six points, two rebounds and an assist during the 14-0 run. Jill Johnson also chipped in with six of her 19 points during the run as Framingham increased their lead into the half.     AMCAT miscues proved costly in the first-half, as Framingham outscored Anna Maria 18-3 on points off of turnovers. The Rams also controlled the action down low, outscoring the AMCATS 16-6 in the paint. The higher-percentage scoring opportunities also led to FSU outshooting Anna Maria 43%-26% from the field.    The AMCATS refused to go quietly in the second-half, going on an early 10-0 run during the opening minutes of the second half to cut the deficit to 38-31. During the run, Chelsea Blair (Holland, Mass.) contributed with four points and a block while Ashton added four points and a steal.  Framingham withstood the early AMCAT run and used good ball movement and multiple second chance buckets to close out the 63-42 victory. Despite outscoring Framingham 10-4 in the paint during the second half, Anna Maria was outscored 8-2 in second chance points, preventing the AMCATS from building another late-run. Both teams return to action after the Thanksgiving recess, as Framingham travels to Gordon on November 30th at 7:00 pm and the AMCATS host Elms on November 30th at 7:00 pm. Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander for AMC Sports Information