By Matt Cook
Sports Editor

The women’s basketball team closed out their 2011-12 season on a high note with a commanding 65-50 victory against Rivier Thursday night at the Athletic Center.

Prior to tip off, seniors Jill Johnson and Emily Clark were recognized for their hard work and dedication during their time with the women’s basketball program.

As the game progressed, both teams played poorly. Shots weren’t being made, and there were a lot of turnovers early.

The first points for either team came at 17:39 when guard Nicole Bostic, a freshman, converted her free throws to give the Rams the 2-0 advantage.

The first field goal for either team came 38 seconds later. Guard Kristen Hoffman, a sophomore, took a feed from Bostic in transition. Hoffman missed the layup, but forward Kia Minor, a junior, picked up the rebound and finished the play.

It took until 16:47 of the first quarter for Rivier to score their first point of the game when Laura Yesu put in one of two attempted free throws. Their first field goal came a minute later.

As the first 20 minutes progressed, the Raiders began to improve their offense and scored a lot of points in the paint, keeping themselves in the game.

However, with 12:50 remaining, forward Michelle Hagerty, a junior, hit a long two with two seconds left on the shot clock to avoid a violation and give the Rams the 12-7 lead.

Framingham had the lead early, but they weren’t able to find their mark on the three-pointers they attempted.

The first long ball for either team came at 10:34 when Ryan Baker nailed a three to tie the game for Rivier at 12-12.

The Raiders battled back and with the help of Deanna Purcell’s three-point play, they had their first lead of the game at 15-14.

Guard Cassie Liston, a sophomore, nailed the first three for Framingham with a little over seven minutes remaining in the first half.

With five-and-a-half minutes left, Minor doubled over after a block attempt. It was clear she was experiencing abdominal pains. She got to her feet and appeared to be all right. She sat on the bench for a few minutes, but would return shortly after.

The Raiders used a three by Amanda Purcell to cut the deficit to 25-22, but would have trouble from beyond the arc for the remainder of the game.

As the first half winded down, Framingham’s defense became very sloppy. Minor, though, came up big in the paint, and the Rams held the 31-26 lead heading into the locker room.

The Raiders opened the second half with a burst of energy. They dominated the ball and the rebounds, and scored the first five points to tie the game at 31 apiece. Rivier controlled the offensive boards.

Amanda Purcell, who was finding her rhythm from beyond the arc, nailed a long ball to give her team the 36-35 lead.

In the second half, there were a lot of turnovers by both teams, and fast back-and-forth play.

At 9:20, Hagerty’s field goal made the game 49-41 as the Rams started to pull away.

The biggest lead for Framingham came two minutes later at 11, but would be built on and extended as the Rams closed out the game.

Paul Williams, the head coach for the Raiders, was whistled for a technical foul after he disputed a non-call by the referees. Rivier’s Erin Sweeney was hit in the face, but there was no call. Hoffman shot the technical and converted both free shots. Framingham was up, 56-45.

With 3:15 remaining, Rivier switched out their entire team on the floor, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Johnson was whistled for her fifth foul at 2:18, and had to sit out. She was given a standing ovation when she went to the bench.

In her last game as a Ram, she scored four points on 2-for-5 shooting with six rebounds from the bench.

Clark’s season ended with her shooting 5-for-12 for 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks and a steal.

With just seconds left, guard Katelyn Iafolla, a freshman, nailed a three pointer to seal the deal and lift the Rams to a 65-50 victory. They were her only points of the game.

The Rams their season one game above .500 at 13-12. The Raiders fell to 16-8 overall.

Hoffman, Clark and Minor all netted 10 points each.  Guard Madeleine Park, a junior, scored 11 from the bench.

The Rams’ victory snapped a two-game losing streak.