Men's Basketball Edges Framingham State, 71-69

Recap Courtesy of Framingham State SID Kathy Lynch

Box Score

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Junior forward Nicholas Motta (Fairhaven, Mass.) scored a team-high 19 points and junior guard Judah Jackson (Everett, Mass.) added 16 points as the Bridgewater State College men's basketball team held off the Framingham State Rams for a 71-69 victory in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's basketball action tonight in Framingham. 

With the win, the Bears remain unbeaten in MASCAC action at 8-0 and they improve to 14-5 overall.  Bridgewater also tied the program record with their 11th straight win.  The mark was originally set during the 1982-83 season and equaled in 2008-2009.  With the loss, Framingham drops back to .500 at 9-9 overall and 5-3 in the MASCAC.

The Bears have won ten straight games which is one shy of the school record of 11 set during the 1982-83 season and equaled in 2008-2009.

Motta and Jackson had the hot hands for the Bears as Motta connected on 7-of-13 from the field in the game for his 19 points, while Jackson hit 7-of-10 including 2-of-2 from behind the arc.  Reserve guard Anthony Goss (Boston, Mass.) also recorded double figures for the Bears with 11 points, while Matt McLaughlin (Rochester, Mass.) chipped in eight assists.

The Rams were led by senior forward Josue Almodovar (Holyoke, Mass.), who scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-11 from the field.  Senior guard Darius Yarrell (Brockton, Mass.) picked up a double-double with 10 points and 13 assists.

In a game that saw nine ties and 14 lead changes and neither team holding a lead larger than eight, the Rams took a one point lead (69-68) on an Almodovar lay-up with 2:49 remaining.  Jackson put the Bears back in the lead, 70-69, on their next possession with a jumper.  The Rams had the opportunity to retake the lead but they were 0-for-6 from the floor in the final 2:22 of the game including 0-for-4 in the final 19 seconds.  Four offensive rebounds kept the Rams alive, but Jackson was able to steal the ball with two seconds left to preserve the win for the Bears.

The Bears shot 55.1% from the floor in the game including 60.9% in the second half, while the Rams shot only 52.6% for the game.  Bridgewater State also held the advantage with 15 second chance points compared to just six for the Rams.

The Rams return to action on Saturday as they travel to Worcester State at 5:30 p.m., while the Bears host Fitchburg State on Saturday at 3 p.m.