SALEM — Salem State had five players score in the double figures as the Vikings ran their win-streak to five games with a 99-64 victory over the MCLA Trailblazers Wednesday night at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State improves to 3-0 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference while enhancing their regular season record to 9-6. With the loss, the Trailblazers slip to 0-3 in the MASCAC and 2-11 overall.
The Trailblazers made it easy for the Vikings’ to jump out to a 10-point lead four minutes into the game with turnovers. In the first half alone, MCLA committed 12 turnovers that the Vikings converted into 17 points. Salem State, a team that tends to favor the outside shot exploited the undersized Trailblazers as they outscored MCLA 32-14 in the paint. In addition, the Vikings out-rebounded MCLA 24-12, which allowed them to add 14 points off the offensive glass.
Tyriek McCauley (Worcester, MA) led the way for Salem State with 15 points on a perfect 6-6 from the field, including a fast break dunk that put the Vikings ahead 29-14 with 11:05 remaining in the half. Salem State jumped out to their largest lead in the final four minutes when a Drew Healy (Lowell, MA) layup put the Vikings on top by 31-points by a score of 52-21. Marcus Faison (Cambridge, MA) added 11 points and seven rebounds in the first half as Salem State took a commanding 59-31 lead heading into the second.
The Vikings’ dominance continued through the second half as they preserved a minimum lead of 23-points with their ability to score in transition. Salem State received production from their bench, which carried the offensive load in the second half with 23 points. Jacob Lindland (Hamilton, MA) added 11 points on 3-7 shooting from beyond the arc while Sean Bryan (Lowell, MA) also tallied 11 points, shooting 7-8 from the free throw line. McCauley led all bench players with 16 points and eight rebounds as the Vikings sailed to the 99-64 victory.
Faison led Salem State scorers with 18 points while Joe Wiggins (Pittsfield, MA) carried the Trailblazers with 19 points. MCLA’s Keiland Cross (Pittsfield, MA) scored 15 points while adding nine assists and eight boards. Joe Murray played well, adding 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and seven rebounds.
The Vikings will continue MASCAC play on Saturday, Jan. 14 when they host the Bears of Bridgewater State at 1:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the Trailblazers will host the Rams of Framingham State also on Jan. 14 at 1:00 p.m.
SALEM — Kayla Hotaling (Ravena, NY) recorded 17 points and 19 rebounds as the Trailblazers of MCLA slipped past the Vikings of Salem State 57-46 Wednesday night at Twohig Gymnasium. With the victory, MCLA enhances their record to 6-7 while earning their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference win to put them at 1-2 overall. Salem State evens out their record at 8-8, and slides to 0-3 in MASCAC play.
Salem State got off to a slow start in the first quarter as the Trailblazers held them scoreless for the first five minutes of the contest. They key for MCLA was their ability to rebound the ball as they outrebounded Salem State 34-23 in the half. The Trailblazers collected nine points on second chances, while grabbing 15 offensive rebounds. Karina Mattera (Johnston, RI) led all scorers with seven points before halftime on 3-11 shooting. MCLA was able to take a slight 17-16 lead heading into the break after a Mattera triple with less than two minutes remaining.
The two sides were evenly matched until the final five minutes of the game when the Trailblazers went on a 6-0 run to take a 51-41 lead. Salem State had endless opportunities to take the lead, but they were plagued by turnovers, which allowed MCLA to keeps its distance. Salem State committed 19 turnovers in the game, which the Trailblazers converted into a dozen points. In the final minute, Norma Waggett (Saugus, MA) cut the Vikings’ deficit to just five points after a layup in transition, but Salem State was unable to contain the Trailblazers press break to get a stop. Mattera raced down the court in the final seconds to put the game out of reach for the Vikings with an easy layup to secure the 57-46 win.
Mattera led all scorers with 19 points while Waggett anchored the Vikings with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Salem State will resume action on Saturday, Jan. 14 when they host MASCAC rival Bridgewater State at 3:00 p.m. MCLA will host the Rams of Framingham State at 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 14 as well.
