PREVIEW: #1 Owls Host #4 Framingham State in Conference Semifinal on Thursday

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Top-seeded Westfield State men's basketball will look to defend home court as they host fourth-seeded Framingham State in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinal game on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at the Woodward Center.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: A trip to the MASCAC Championship game awaits the winner, who will face the victor of the #2 Salem State vs. #3 Worcester State matchup at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday. The conference champion earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

THE MATCHUP: Westfield enters the game 19-6 overall, while Framingham State comes in at 12-14. The Owls have had the Rams' number this season, sweeping both regular-season matchups, including a 78-63 victory at Framingham on February 1st. Westfield has won four of their last six games, most recently falling in a narrow 82-81 loss to Salem State in the regular season finale.

The Rams come into the semifinal riding a three-game winning streak, including a first-round tournament win. Framingham knocked off #5 Bridgewater State 63-60 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, avenging two regular-season losses to the Bears. The Rams' late-season surge has them playing their best basketball at the right time.

Westfield boasts the conference's most potent offense, averaging 88.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 45.1% from the field. The Owls, who rank 10th nationally in Division III scoring, push the pace and create havoc with their defense, forcing 19.8 turnovers per game and averaging 12.9 steals. Framingham counters with a more deliberate approach, scoring 70.8 points per game while focusing on controlling the glass with a +3.0-rebounding margin.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Westfield State freshman Kenneth Rogers, Jr. (Springfield, Mass.) has made an immediate impact in his debut season, leading the Owls and ranking first in the MASCAC with 19.1 points per game while also placing second in the conference with 9.3 rebounds per game. Rogers, who has recorded 12 double-doubles on the season, is shooting an impressive 45.2% from the field and also contributes on the defensive end with 1.6 steals per game. The freshman standout is also tied for third in the MASCAC in assists per game.

The Owls feature a dynamic backcourt duo in senior Lid Moreland (Bridgeport, Conn.) and sophomore Xavier Lewis (Long Island, N.Y.). Moreland has been a steady presence all season, averaging 17.2 points and ranking second in the conference with 2.4 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Lewis directs the offense with 9.1 points and 3.8 assists per game (tied for third in MASCAC), boasting a stellar 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio while ranking fourth in the conference in steals per game.

Senior forward Timmy Jacobus (Willemstad, Curacao) provides a perimeter threat for the Owls, averaging 7.7 points per game while connecting on 43.8% of his three-point attempts, good for second-best in the MASCAC. Senior Eric Johnson (Houston, Texas) anchors the interior defense with 5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, ranking third in the conference in rejections.

Framingham State is led by senior guard Kyle Philistin (North Plainfield, N.J.), who averages 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while connecting on 34.7% of his three-point attempts. Sophomore forward Joshua Saint Jean (Lynn, Mass.) provides interior scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.3 points and 8.8 rebounds (third in MASCAC) while shooting a conference-best 61.3% from the field.

The Rams' supporting cast includes sophomore Dyree Rogers (New City, N.Y.) with 9.9 points per game, senior Adonis Vashon (Grand Rapids, Mich.) adding 8.1 points, and sophomore Makyle Hayes (Boston, Mass.), who ranks fifth in the conference with 3.7 assists per game while contributing 4.8 points and 1.3 steals.

While Westfield has the statistical edge and home-court advantage, tournament basketball often comes down to execution and momentum. The Owls will look to push the pace and force turnovers, while the Rams will try to control the tempo and capitalize on their rebounding advantage in what promises to be an exciting MASCAC semifinal showdown.

HOW TO WATCH: Live stats are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com, with a live video stream on WestfieldStateOwls.com or the MASCAC.TV app. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for non-students and senior citizens. Westfield State students receive free admission with a valid ID, while staff and faculty can attend for free with an athletic pass. Children 12 years old and under also receive free admission.

Written by Tom Onorato - Sports Information Intern