Men’s Basketball Wins
SALEM – On ‘Think Pink’ day sponsored by St. Jean’s Credit Union at Salem State, Shaquan Murray (Boston, MA) led the Vikings with 23 points as they held off the Trailblazers of MCLA to win 96-72 Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State improves their Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference record to 8-1 while going 14-8 on the season. MCLA slips to 5-16 and 1-8 in conference.
The Vikings had everything going for them in the first half as they immediately jumped out to 15-5 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. The mismatch created down low by the Vikings allowed them to outscore the trailblazers 32-18 in the paint. Drew Healy (Lowell, MA) and Marcus Faison(Cambridge, MA) each scored 11 points apiece in the first half. As a team, the Vikings dominated on the boards as they out-rebounded MCLA 26-15 which led to 17 points off second chances. The Trailblazers had a hard time protecting the ball as they committed 10 turnovers in the half which were converted into 11 points by Salem State. The Vikings received major contributions from their bench as they scored 15 points, seven which came from Ryan Cloutier (Pelham, NH). Salem State took their largest lead of the half -27 points- at the 4:12 mark that brought the score to 46-19. Adam Conquest (Gardner, MA) led the Trailblazers with 11 first half points while Dakari Hannah-Wornum (Dorchester, MA) added nine points. Salem State took a commanding 54-27 lead heading into halftime.
MCLA got into a groove to open up the second half as they shot 41% from the field compared to their 36% in the first half. Khalil Paul (Troy, NY) and Careem Kirksey (Dorchester, MA) combined for 19points in the second half that allowed them to come within 17 points after a Kirksey three-pointer at the 14:45 mark. Despite the large lead taken after the first half, the Vikings’ defense allowed the Trailblazers to within nine points after a two-part foul from Brendan Bouthillette (Billerica, MA), who got called for a shooting foul and technical foul. However, the Vikings were able to regain a comfortable 20-point lead by outstanding guard play from Murray, who scored 16 points in the second half when his team struggled on offense. Murray went 6-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the 96-72 victory.
Faison, who also added 14 rebounds, and Healy both finished with 17 points while Jacob Lindland(Hamilton, MA) contributed 10 points. Hannh-Wornum led the Trailblazers with 16 points while Conquest finished with 13 points.
Salem State will resume action on February 10th when they tip-off against the Bears of Bridgewater State University at 7:30 pm. MCLA will also continue action on February 10th when they take on the Rams of Framingham State University at 7:30 at home.
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Women’s Basketball Wins
SALEM – Kaitlyn Bryan (Lowell, MA) led the Vikings of Salem State University with 28 points as the Vikings came from behind to defeat the Trailblazers of MCLA 72-61 Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium on ‘Think Pink’ day sponsored by St. Jean’s Credit Union. With the victory the Vikings improve to 7-15 on the season and 3-6 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. MCLA dropped to 11-10 and 3-6 in the MASCAC.
The Trailblazers’ shooters paced the offense early on as they shot 44.4% from the floor led by Courtney Pingelski (Mechanicville, NY) who led MCLA with 13 points in the first half. The Trailblazers also shot well from beyond the arc as they went 6-16 from three point range, including a three from Pingelski. However, the Vikings were able to stick with the Trailblazers with the help of Bryan, who tallied 13 points in the first half including shooting 3-5 from three-point range. MCLA was able to build a lead before Salem State cut the deficit to 28-25 after Bryan scored eight consecutive points including two three-pointers. However, with the help of their bench who outscored the Vikings’ bench 15-2, the Trailblazers were able to jump out to a 38-29 lead with: 42 seconds left in the half. Salem State reduced that to seven points with a last second layup by Katie McDonnell (Swansea, MA) to bring the halftime score to 38-31.
The Vikings played stout defense in the third period as they forced six Trailblazer turnovers that they converted into 11 points. Despite their great defensive play, the Trailblazers were able to maintain a three-point lead the entire third period. Malissa Saad (Worcester, MA) had a big second half as she scored 10 points including a mid-range jump shot that brought the Vikings to within three at the 8:39 mark in the fourth quarter. After a quick bucket from Kayla Hotaling (Ravena, NY) to put MCLA up 56-51, the Vikings went on a 15-0 run that allowed them to take a 66-56 lead, their first of the contest. During that stretch, Bryan tallied four points while Saad added three. Salem State found their success in the paint as they outscored the Trailblazers 10-0 in the post in the final period. The Vikings also continued to find success in their transition game as they converted nine more points off of MCLA turnovers. In addition, Salem State dominated on the offensive glass as they pulled in 20 offensive rebounds in the game that accounted for five points down the stretch. The Vikings also knocked down their free throws in the final moments to pull away and secure the 72-61 win.
Saad finished with 16 points and nine rebounds while Tahira Peralta (Stoughton, MA) added 12 points. Karina Mattera (Johnston, RI) led MCLA with 20 points while Pingelski ended with 18 points.
The Vikings’ take the court again on February 10th when they host the Bears of Bridgewater State University at 5:30 p.m. The Trailblazers will host the Rams of Framingham State University on February 10th for a 5:30 p.m. tip off
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