Salem, Mass. — Nick Portelance (Fairhaven, Mass.) recorded a double-double of 27 points and 15 rebounds and Jordan Rezendes (Onset, Mass.) scored 28 as UMass Dartmouth erased an 11-point halftime deficit and roared past Salem State 93-79 on Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium. The Corsairs improve to 6-5 on the season while the Vikings close out their non-conference schedule with a 6-7 record.
Trailing, 64-50 midway through the second half, UMass Dartmouth scored 43 points over the final 12:40 to overtake Salem State as the Corsairs shot 64.6% from the field in the second. With Salem State leading 65-55, a Tom Keyes (Fall River, Mass.) three pointer sparked a 10-0 run that was highlighted by a Jahleel Moise (Bockton, Mass.) dunk. Rezendes completed the comeback with a free throw to tie the game at 65-65 with 9:14 remaining.
Portelance took over down the stretch, recording nine rebounds in the half, including four offensive boards as the Corsairs scored 17 second chance points in the period. With the Vikings down 74-69,Zach Hurynowicz (Burlington, Mass.) knocked in a three-pointer and completed a four-point play to pull Salem Sate to within 74-73. However, back-to-back layups by Portelance and nine points by Rezendes over the final 3:15 saw the Corsairs outscore Salem State 15-5 over the final minutes as UMass Dartmouth pulled away for the easy 14-point victory.
The Vikings dominated the first half, shooting 55.3% (21-38) from the field. Marcus Faison(Cambridge, Mass.) led the charge as he shot 7-of-8 from the field to lead both teams with 16-first half points. Shaquan Murray (Boston, Mass.), who had 10-first half points, drained a three-pointer that put Salem State up 42-30. Ryan Cloutier‘s deep three gave the Vikings their largest lead of 15 points, 47-32 with two minutes remaining. However, Jahleel Moise (Brockton, Mass.) hit back-to-back baskets in the final minute to keep the Corsairs within striking distance as they trailed by 11, 49-38 heading into the half.
Jon Robinson (Chatham, Mass.) added 12 points for UMass Dartmouth, while Abi Akanni (Fitchburg, Mass.) and Moise added 11 and 10 respectively as all five
UMass Dartmouth starters scored in double figures.
Salem State was led by Faison’s 19 points and 11 rebounds, his seventh double-double this season. Drew Healey (Lowell, Mass.) contributed 16 points and Murray added 15 while Hurynowicz finished with 13.
Salem State opens MASCAC play at home against Framingham State at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, January 6th. The Corsairs travel to Regis for a 7:00 PM start on Wednesday.
