Posted: Nov 09, 2019
Suffolk Gets Past Salem State 94-81
Salem St.
(0-1)
81
Suffolk
(1-0)
94
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Salem St. (0-1) | 44 | 37 | 81 |
|
Suffolk (1-0) | 44 | 50 | 94 |
BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Salem State opened the 2019-20 season on the road against Suffolk at the Babson Invitational at Staake Gymnasuim on Saturday evening. The Rams came away with a 94-81 victory, their first over the Vikings since 1982.
Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) and Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) led Salem State, scoring 27 and 18 points respectively. The two teams were tied 44-44 entering halftime as both squads shot well from the floor, with the Vikings going 16-34 (47.1%) while Suffolk went 17-34 (50.0%) from the field.
Salem State jumped out to an early 18-8 lead following a layup by Animashaun. The lead grew to 11 at the 8:46 mark, 32-21 following a basket by Bryan. However, an 11-3 run by the Rams drew Suffolk to within three with 5:48 remaining. The teams traded baskets until the game was even heading into halftime.
The game remained close to start the second half. A basket by Andrew Fraioli (Milford, Mass.) capped a 7-0 run by the Rams, who led 57-49 with 13:52 left. Salem State stayed within striking distance, but a nearly three minute offensive drought helped Suffolk build a 69-58 advantage midway through the second half.
The Rams answered the Vikings the rest of the way before settling for a 94-81 win.
Suffolk went 20-37 (54.1%) from the field in the second half despite just shooting 1-11 (9.1%) from three point range. Salem State managed to go just 2-15 (13.3%) from behind the arc and committed 12 turnovers and 21 for the game.
Bryan had nine rebounds and six assists while Animashaun grabbed 10 rebounds. Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) added 11 points for the Vikings.
Nate Hale (Nashua, N.H) led the Rams with 20 points and eight rebounds. Thomas Duffy(Fairfield, Conn.) had 14 points and four assists.