WPI Tops Salem State

SALEM, Mass. -- Garrett Stephenson's (Townsend, Mass.) 20 points and 10 rebounds lifted the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Engineers to an 83-67 win over the Salem State Vikings at Twohig Gymnasium on Saturday. WPI remains unbeaten on the year at 8-0.  

The Vikings (3-7) started the first three minutes of the game committing five turnovers. The Engineers managed to build a 13-point lead from the shooting of Reid Walker (Lithia, FL) in the first half. Walker put up 15 points (FG 6-10, 3PT 2-2) and had three steals.

Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) led the way for the Vikings, scoring 20 first-half points (FG 8-10) while grabbing nine rebounds.

WPI went ahead 42-31 in the first half shooting 41.7% (5-12) from three. Salem State scored 22 points in the paint. However, the Vikings shot just 0-5 from behind the arc.

Salem State managed to cut the lead to six with 13 minutes left in the half. The Engineers responded though, going on an 8-0 run from three's by Kahleb Downing (Middletown, CT) and John Wessel (New Oxford, PA), and a layup from Stephenson.

The Vikings then traded baskets with the Engineers, which prevented them from cutting into the deficit.

Walker finished with 22 points (8-15) and three steals for WPI.

Animashaun ended the game with a double-double of 24 points (9-13) and 15 rebounds for the Vikings. Bryan Martinez (Salem, Mass.) added 13 points and eight boards.

WPI shot 50% (33-66) from the field for the game while the Vikings shot 39.3% (24-61).