Men's Basketball Drops Close Game to Framingham State

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Basketball hit the road as they faced off against Framingham State University in a non-conference game Thursday afternoon.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 76 | Framingham State University 85
Records: Blazers 0-3, 0-0 (GNAC) | Rams 3-1, 0-0 (MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The non-conference matchup would begin with a three-point shot from sophomore guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) after receiving a pass from graduate guard Teron Griffin (Harlem, N.Y.), giving Elms an early 3-0 lead. The two sides would both struggle to earn points in the remainder of the opening minutes, but the Blazers defense would capitalize on retrieving multiple rebounds and a block by junior forward RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.). Griffin would make a jump shot, but Framingham State would quickly tie the game 5-5. The two intrastate opponents would then trade baskets, including a layup and jump shot by senior guard/forward Aaron Sanchez (the Bronx, N.Y.) and a three-pointer by Mayfield, but both defenses would hold strong, including two steals from Mayfield. Two layups by Sanchez and a three-point shot from senior guard Kishaun Cole (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) would help increase Elms lead to 22-16, but the Rams would continue to nip at the Blazers heels. A jump shot from Mayfield, a pair of layups by Cole and junior Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.), and a three-point shot by graduate forward Neilon Bridgeman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) would extend the Elms lead further to 31-24. Minutes later, Cancel would drain a three-pointer and Griffin would make a layup to keep Framingham State at an arm's length distance, but the Rams would cut the lead down to 12 points. As the final minutes of the opening half ticked off the board, Mayfield, Bridgeman, and Ciaglo would each make three-point shots to help the Blazers earn the lead going into the halftime break 45-31.

The second half would start as an offensive struggle for both teams, until a steal by junior guard Aden Goffe (New Haven, Conn.) would lead to a breakaway layup to record the first basket of the half. Framingham State continued to find their way as they attempted to trim down the deficit, but a layup and three-point shot by Mayfield would help the Blazers hold their lead. As the half continued, the Rams would bring the game to a three point difference at 53-50, but two steals by the Elms defense would lead to breakaway layups by Cole and Ciaglo. The two sides would then trade baskets until Framingham State would gain their second lead of the game 65-63. As the clock wound down, the Elms offense would put up a fight to come back to win the game, but the Rams defense would hold strong and defeat the Blazers 85-76.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 17 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and a block.

• Sanchez - 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

• Cole - 11 points and an assist.

• Ciaglo - 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

• Griffin - six points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and a steak.

• Bridgeman - six points and a rebound.

• Cancel - five points and two rebounds.

• Goffe - four points, a rebound, and a steal.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will travel to Curry College in a non-conference game on Thursday, November 21st at 6 pm.

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