Saturday Showdown Sends Men’s Basketball to Framingham State

SUFFOLK vs. FRAMINGHAM STATE
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Nov. 20 2:00 PM Athletic Complex Framingham, Mass. FSURams.com GoSuffolkRams.com Suffolk Trails, 14-15 Jan. 8, 2020, W, 67-33 Same W3

BOSTON – Coming off an upset win over No. 11 Tufts, Suffolk men's basketball looks to keep the ball rolling Saturday, Nov. 20 when it visits Framingham State for a 2 p.m. meeting.

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

SUFFOLK ATHLETICS 2021-22 FAN POLICY
Suffolk University Athletics, following guidance from the University's health and safety protocols, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, plans to allow fans to attend home athletic contests during the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.

Fans, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, can attend games. They must be masked the entire time they are on campus, pursuant to institutional policy, and complete a health screening form at the security desk of each building upon arrival. This policy applies to home contests played on campus at the Ridgeway Building's Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, as well as the Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink and the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

For outdoor outings, specifically at East Boston Memorial Park, fans are asked to respect COVID safety protocols. At this time, masks will not be mandated for fans no matter vaccinated status at outdoor venues.

MORE READING: Suffolk Athletics Announces Fan Policy for 2021-22

LAST TIME OUT
Playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in 635 days, Suffolk men's basketball put on a show and took down No. 11 Tufts, 90-81, Thursday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.  

MORE READING: Men's Basketball Surprises No. 11 Tufts, 90-81, in Home Opener

RAMS REACTIONS

RAMS RUNDOWN
Behind its 90-81 stunning win against No. 11 Tufts, Suffolk improved to 2-1 on the year.  

Suffolk is scoring 82.7 ppg with four different players in double figures. Nate Hale is leading the way with 21.0 ppg behind an impressive 40.9 connection rate from behind-the-arc. Aidan Sullivan supplies 13.7 ppg and 4.0 apg to the offensive output. Both John Gates and William Row average 11.0 ppg.  

Rowe anchors' the Rams 38.7 rpg with 6.3 rpg of his own. Keenan Robertson pulls down 5.3 rpg and Cole LeVangie chips in 4.7 rpg. 

FRAMINGHAM STATE FACT
Framingham State has six games under its belt and sits 1-5 on the year with four losses in a row including an 82-50 setback to Suffolk's Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) counterpart Wentworth Thursday, Nov. 18.  

The Rams are putting up just 60.2 ppg with their opponents outscoring them by an average 10 points. The trio of Joshua-Daniel Okafor (11.2 ppg), Javaris Hill (10.8 ppg) and Ivan Nyantenji (10.2 ppg) have proven to be the biggest threats on the offensive end. Okafor is not just the leading scorer for FSU, but paces the pack in rebounds as well with 6.2 rpg. Marshall Martin adds 6.0 rpg to the team's 40.0 rpg effort. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk has defeated Framingham State in three straight meetings to chip away at FSU's all-time series lead, 14-15. 
• The Boston Rams are unbeaten against FSU under Jeff Juron, 3-0. 
• Suffolk bested Framingham 67-33 two years ago, Jan. 8, 2020. 

EYES ON THE GAME

NEWEST MEMBER OF SUFFOLK'S 1K CLUB
Nate Hale locked up the 31st spot in Suffolk's 1,000-point club with his 17th point of the night against No. 11 Tufts Thursday, Nov. 18. The milestone mark came on the front end of a trip to the free throw line and in the fifth-year's 70th collegiate game.  

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Suffolk will be back in front of its home crowd Tuesday, Nov. 23 when it battles its Boston Commons neighbor at 7 p.m. at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.