Women’s Basketball Falls to Framingham State University, 83-68

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Elms College junior forward Denisha Parks (Fall River, Mass.) tied her collegiate career high with 34 points but Framingham State University used a 21-point effort from Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) who led five teammates with double-digit outputs as the Rams posted an 83-68 victory over the Blazers in Saturday afternoon's Fairfield Inn & Suites consolation women's basketball game in North Dartmouth, Mass. hosted by UMass-Dartmouth.

With the loss, Elms moves to 0-2 on the season, while Framingham State improves to 1-1 overall.

Parks was terrific for Elms in defeat, netting 34 points on the strength of a 15 for 17 effort from the free throw line and 9 of 19 shooting from the field. She added a team-high nine rebounds and four steals, while junior guard Gianna Youngblood (East Freetown, Mass.) and freshman guard Marissa Merrill (Meredith, N.H.) netted seven points apiece in the losing effort.

Samantha Irvine (Franklin, Mass.) and Monta Connolly (Lynn, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles for Framingham State as Irvine scored 13 points and pulled down 12 boards, while Connolly registered 12 points and 12 rebounds. Kayla Murkison (Lynn, Mass.) followed with 13 points and Kerry Coyne (North Attleboro, Mass.) contributed 12 points.

The Blazers held an early 10-9 advantage, but the lead evaporated following a 16-2 run by Framingham State. Elms responded to the run and was able to cut the deficit to 12 points following a made free throw by Parks.

The Rams broke open the game midway through the second half when Murkison swished a trey to set the score at 60-36.

Framingham State kept the pressure on Elms as it scored 32 points in the paint and shot 42.9-percent from the floor.

Elms returns to action when it hosts Bard College on Tuesday, November 26 at 6 p.m. in its 2013-14 home-opener at Picknelly Arena.