Men’s Basketball’s Second Semester Starts at Home Wednesday vs. Framingham State

BOSTON – Suffolk men's basketball looks to continue its winning ways in the New Year as the Rams, who are on a four-game win streak, lift the lid on the second portion of its 2017-18 slate Wednesday, Jan. 3 when Framingham State stops by Regan Gymnasium for a 6 p.m. non-conference clash.

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LAST TIME OUT
For the first time since 2007, Suffolk men's basketball came out on the winning side against its city rival as the Rams defeated UMass Boston, 79-69, Dec. 12 at Regan  Gymnasium to stretch its win streak to four.

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Runs Streak to four in First Semester Finale, Defeats UMass Boston, 79-69

RAMS RUNDOWN
At 5-4 on the year, Suffolk is off to its best start through nine games in the Jeff Juron era and since an identical start to the 2014-15 campaign. 

The Rams' 70.1 ppg are anchored by the duo of sophomore Thomas Duffy and junior Michael Hagopian. Duffy's 18.0 ppg come on a 44.3 shooting percentage from the floor and an impressive 47.1 connection rate from downtown. Hagopian, meanwhile, is shooting 54.1 percent from behind the arc to contribute 14.8 ppg. 

Kevin Querusio's 5.1 rpg leads the way on the glass for the blue-and-gold with Brendan Mulson and George Grillakis adding 4.9 rpg and 4.1 rpg, respectively.

FRAMINGHAM STATE FACTS
Framingham State closed out 2017 at nationally ranked Swarthmore Dec. 30 where the Rams fell 80-48 to dip to 4-8 on the season. 

FSU is putting up just 54.1 ppg as a squad. Manny Payton is the go-to scorer for the Rams as the junior guard averages 17.8 ppg in 33.7 minutes per night. Tyri Hampton also produces double digits in points with 10.4 ppg. 

Payton is also one of the main contributors on the defensive end with 5.2 rpg, but it's Charles Valbrun's 6.0 rpg that lead the team's 31.5 rpg effort.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Suffolk and Framingham State will renew a rivalry, which began in 1971, Wednesday night as the teams will met for the first time since 2004. Overall, the Suffolk Rams trail the series, 11-15, with FSU taking the last meeting by a 63-56 margin Nov. 19, 2004.

EYES ON THE GAME

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Suffolk is unbeaten in front of its home crowd this season, earning four of its five wins inside Regan Gymnasium; Brandeis (75-67), Saint Joseph's (Maine) (68-56), Lesley (61-46) and UMass Boston (79-69). 

When playing on the friendly confines of the Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, the Rams average 70.8 ppg, while limiting their opponents to 59.5 ppg.

STREAKING
Thanks to its 79-69 victory over UMass Boston to close first semester play, the Rams ran their win streak to four straight. The four consecutive wins are the most victories in a row in the Jeff Juron era and marks the longest win streak for Suffolk since compiling four triumphs together Nov. 22-Dec. 4, 2014.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk steps back into league play when it visits conference favorite Albertus Magnus Saturday, Jan. 6 for a 1 p.m. battle.