Strong Second Half Propels Salem State Over Framingham State

SALEM, Mass - Sean Bryan's (Lowell, Mass.) 34 points and 11 rebounds rallied the Salem State Vikings to a 79-70 victory over the Framingham State Rams at Twohig Gymnasium on Saturday.

Bryan scored 25 points in the second half, including a huge three that gave the Vikings a 58-56 lead with 7:46 left in regulation. It was Salem State's first lead since they were on top 6-4 in the first half. The Vikings rise to 8-8 on the year and 2-1 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) while Framingham State dips to 2-13 on the season and 1-2 in the MASCAC.

In the first half, the Vikings jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Rams quickly responded and went on a 14-0 run while forcing five turnovers.

Framingham State didn't look back as they stretched to a 16-point lead in the first half. The Rams led 38-28 at the end of the first half shooting 46.9% (FG 15-32) from the floor. Salem State struggled, going 25% (9-36) from the field.

It was a tale of two halves as the Vikings offense began to pick up, and a 10-2 run after halftime cut the deficit to one, 52-51 with 10:20 left. Late in the half, with Salem State leading by just five, freshman Fern Berard (Malden, Mass.) came up with a huge block that led to a basket by Temitope Bailey (West Springfield, Mass.) as the Vikings grew their lead to seven before winning by nine, 79-70.  

Salem State outscored Framingham State 51-32 in the second half, shooting 57.6% (FG 19-33).

Emmanuel Payton (Fitchburg, Mass.) led the Rams with 16 points while Cameren McCloud-Thomas had 14 points (FG 6-13) and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Rams. Trevor Manyak (Bolton, Mass.) and Khaneil Bruce (Cambridge, Mass.) combined for 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) added 14 points (FG 6-12), corralled 11 boards and had six blocks. Berard finished with 13 points, three rebounds and two blocks off the bench for the Vikings.