Vikings Pick Up First MASCAC Win

SALEM, Mass. - Tyra Scott's (Metheun, Mass.) 12 points and 10 rebounds propelled the Salem State Vikings to a 56-38 victory over MCLA at Twohig Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Scott also played great defense coming up with two blocks and two steals as Salem State picked up their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) win and improve to 1-5 in conference and 3-15 on the season. The Trailblazers drop to 2-16 on the year and 0-5 in the MASCAC.

The Vikings led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter with the help of Scott hitting two shots from behind the arc. A 7-0 run to open the second quarter, highlighted by a Kia Fernandes (Wareham, Mass.) made layup and a Andrea Schiavone three-pointer helped push the Vikings to a 26-17 halftime lead.

Both teams had shooting woes in the first half as the Vikings shot 28.1% (FG 9-32) and MCLA  18.7% (FG 6-32).

In the second half, the Vikings built their largest lead of 20 points, when Julia Mattera (Arlington, Mass.) hit a mid-range jumper with 2:53 remaining, giving Salem state a 54-34 advantage.

Salem State's Courtney Paschal (Waltham, Mass.) recorded eight points and secured a career-high 16 rebounds.

Hannah Mazzeo (Averill Park, NY) posted 11 points off the bench for the Trailblazers.

For the game, The Vikings shot 33.9% (FG 19-56) from the floor and MCLA 19.7% (FG 12-61). Salem State won the battle with points in the paint scoring 24 to the Trailblazers' 12.