Men's Basketball Drops First MASCAC Game to Salem State, 103-84

WORCESTER, Mass. – Salem State University's sophomore guard, Alex Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) scored a game-high 29 points, including five triples, to defeat the Lancers 103-84 Saturday (Jan. 7) afternoon in  Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play.

Santos went 9-for-20 from the field, 5-for-12 from the 3-point arc, and shot 100 percent from the free throw line to total 29. He also registered a team-high five assists and two steals in the contest. Also scoring double digits for the Vikings were Marcus Faison (Cambridge, Mass.), Tyreik McCauley (Worcester, Mass.) and Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) with 18-13-10 points, respectively. Faison registered a double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds, while Drew Healy (Lowell, Mass.) collected eight boards.

Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) led the Lancers with a double-double 21 points and 12 rebounds. Also earning a double-double was Jeremy Bacon (Milford, Mass.) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Worcester State saw three additional players with double figures including Aaron Anniballi (Milford, Mass.), Cal Howes (Maynard, Mass.), and Ryan DiBernardo (Springfield, Mass.) with 13-12-11 points, respectively. Anniballi and DiBernardo recorded a game-high six assists apiece, while Corey Gatta (Sturbridge, Mass.) grabbed a team-high four steals.

The Vikings jumped off to a quick start as they gained an 11-point advantage in the first six minutes of play. Worcester State cut the lead to six as they scored back-to-back buckets. However, the Vikings regained their 11-point advantage and surpassed it when McCauley made a layup and a triple with nine minutes remaining in the half. The Vikings jumped up to a 16-point lead minutes later, on yet, another bucket from McCauely, and did not allow the Lancers to get within 11 throughout the remainder of the half.

Following a 55-40 halftime score, the Vikings came out strong and increased their 15-point lead to 21 in just four minutes when Salem State's Santos was blasted three back-to-back triples and drained two free throw shots. The Vikings saw their largest lead of the game (25) with 5:39 remaining on the clock after Santos netted, yet, another three. Worcester State chipped away at the lead, shooting 52.8 percent from the field, but were not able to catch up with the Vikings, resulting in a final score of 103-84.

The Vikings shot 50 percent as a team from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, and an astounding 90 percent from the free throw line, going 20-for-22, throughout the contest.

The Lancers shots a near 49.3 percent from the field, but struggled at the stripe, going 10-for19.

Worcester State (3-11, 1-1 MASCAC) resumes competition next Saturday (Jan. 14) when they host Fitchburg State in a 1 p.m. game. Salem State (8-6, 2-0 MASCAC) returns home on Jan. 11 when they host MCLA in MASCAC action.