Rams Defeat Cougars 85-72

By Kevin Anderson/Clark University Athletics

WORCESTER, MA – The Framingham State University women’s basketball received double double performances from juniors Alycia Rackliffe and Monta Connolly as the Rams defeated Clark University 85-72 in the opening round of the Clark Holiday Tournament.

With the win, the Rams improve to 7-3 on the year and advance to face Southern Maine tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. in the championship game, while the Cougars fall to 2-7 and will face Anna Maria in the consolation game.

Rackliffe led all scorers with a game-best 22 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor to go along with a game-high 16 rebounds, seven blocks and two steals. Connolly tallied her 20 points on 9-of-13 from the floor and filled the stat sheet with 10 boards, three assists and five steals.

Sophomore Raegan Mulherin chipped in with 13 points, while classmate Quinn O’Connell added 11.

The Cougars were paced by 11 points apiece from Haley Wilder, Aretha Sullivan and Gweneth Ivory. Guard Sam O’Gara was the only other Cougar to reach double figures with 10 points to go along with five boards and seven assists.

The Rams led 23-22 after one quarter, but the Cougars took the lead (25-23) on a three from Maya Kerstetter. The Rams rattled off an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to take the lead for good. O’Connell started the spurt with a three from long range, and Connolly converted a three point play and a jumper outside the paint to cap the run.

In the second half, the Rams extended the lead to as many as 17 before settling for the 85-72 victory.

The Rams held a 42-16 edge in points in the paint for the game and converted 31 Cougar turnovers into 28 points.