Worcester, MA --- Junior Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) netted a career-high 20 points to go along with six boards and five steals to help lead Worcester State past Framingham State in the MASCAC opener for both squads this afternoon at the Lancer Gymnasium.

The Lancers (5-8, 1-0 MASCAC) were also paced offensively by senior Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, MA) who recorded her seventh double-double of the season netting 15 points and adding 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) dropped in a season-high 17 points and she grabbed seven caroms.

Framingham State (7-4, 0-1 MASCAC) was led by senior Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, ME) who recorded a team-high 20 points and classmate Kia Minor (Edgartown, MA) contributed ten points and ten boards.

Junior Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, MA) had a great all-around performance for the Rams with 17 points, eight caroms and a contest-high seven assists.

WSU got off to an early start and never looked back jumping out to an 8-0 advantage at the 16:10 mark of the first half after El-Qasem converted an old-fashioned three-point play.

The Blue and Gold reached its largest lead of the half at 45-18 after Burns converted a fast break lay-up with two minutes remaining period.

Worcester State continued to build the lead throughout the second half and ballooned the advantage 74-41 after junior Veronica Norman (Brooklyn, CT) connected on a pair of free throws at the 6:04 mark.

The Rams, who actually outscored the Lancers 35-30 in the second period, embarked on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the deficit to 76-56, but the Blue and Gold defense held the visitors to just four points the rest of the way as they cruised ahead for the 81-60 win.

The Blue and Gold outshot their opponents on the game shooting 41 percent from the field (26-for-63) while the Rams managed just 31 percent (20-for-64).

The Lancers used 15 swipes to score 21 points off turnovers as they also led in points in the paint (38-24) and second chance points (15-4).

Both teams return to action Tuesday night in MASCAC affairs. Worcester State travels west across I-90 to face-off against Westfield State at 5:30 PM and Framingham State returns home for a meeting with Bridgewater State at 6.

Story Written by Sports Information Graduate Assistant – John Hanna