Williams Tops Salem State 78-61

Williams Tops Salem State 78-61

SALEM, Mass. – Matt Karpowicz (Wellesley, Mass.) scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Williams raced out to a 21-3 lead and never looked back, defeating Salem State 78-61 in the final game of the Salem State Holiday Classic. Spencer Spivy (San Francisco, Calif.) and Karpowicz combined for 29 first half points as the Ephs improve to 5-4 on the season while the Vikings go to 1-11.

Williams held Salem State to just one field goal over the first six minutes of the game. After a timeout, the Vikings settled in and an Evan Mason (Gloucester, Mass.) layup helped cap a 10-4 run by the Vikings, who cut the lead to 25-13 with 11:32 remaining. However, the Ephs, quickly built the lead back to 20 behind the strong play of Spivy (6-11 from the field) and Karpowicz (7-7 from the field). Back-to-back layups by Spivy and Karpowicz pushed the lead back to 17, 45-28 just before halftime. The Ephs shot 47.5% (19-40) in the first half while forcing 13 turnovers.  Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) led the Vikings with eight first half points, as Salem State struggled offensively, connecting on just 30.0% (10-30) of their shots from the field.

Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) led a Vikings' resurgence in the second half, as he scored 17 of his 24 points after halftime. The Vikings' crept back into the game on multiple occasions, and after an Animashaun layup, trailed by 10, 52-42 with 12:20 remaining. However, each time the Ephs answered, scoring most of their points (34) in the paint. A three-pointer by Cole Prowitt-Smith (Fairfield, Conn.), gave Williams a comfortable lead, 71-57 before securing a 78-61 win. 

The Ephs had five players in double figures as Spivy-18 points, Henry Feinberg (San Francisco, Calif.) -14 points, Alex Stoddard (Wellesley, Mass.) – 11 points, six rebound and Prowitt-Smith – 10 points, five assists spearheaded the offense. Williams finished the game shooting 42.9% (30-70) from the field.

Animashaun ended with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds for Salem State with three blocks while Castillo – 13 points, nine rebounds and Mason – 13 points, six rebounds also contributed.  The Vikings were held to just 36.2% (21-58) from the field.

Earlier, Endicott defeated Clark 94-71 in the first game.

Tyler Davern (Clark), Matt McDevitt (Endicott), Karpowicz and Animashaun were named Team MVP's of the Salem State Holiday Classic.