Salem State Loses 100-72 to Westfield State in Season Finale

SALEM, Mass. - Chelsea Moussette (Southampton) scored 17 points (FG 6-11, 3PT 3-6), had six assists, and added five rebounds to lead the Westfield State Owls to a 100-72 win over the Salem State Vikings on "Senior Night" at Twohig Gymnasium. The Owls improve to 12-12 on the season and 9-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Vikings are now 6-18 for the year and 3-9 in the MASCAC.

Seniors Mia Crawley (Hyannis, Mass.) and Courtney Paschal were honored for their hard work and dedication to the program in a pre-game ceremony.

Westfield State used the three in the first half to pull away early. Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) hit a three to put the Owls in front 12-8 with 6:23 left in the first quarter. With two seconds remaining, Alison Mendel (Adams, Mass.) pulled up from half-court and banked one in as the first quarter buzzer expired. Mendel's shot pushed Westfield State to a 29-16 lead.

With five seconds left in the first half, Moussette drove and kicked it out to Isabella Aitken open in the corner. Aitken drained the three-point shot before the game clock ran out to put the Owls ahead 57-36. Westfield State connected for 13 three-pointers in the half. 

Despite trailing in the first half, the Vikings shot 44.4% (FG 16-35) from the field. The Owls shot 43.8% (FG 21-48) and 46.4% (FG 13-28) from behind the arc.

Paschal led all scorers with 16 first-half points (FG 6-9) for Salem State. The Vikings also committed 17 turnovers in the first half as a result of Westfield State's full-court trap. 

The Owls cooled off in the second half, going just 4-17 (23.6%) from behind the arc. Mousette added nine points after the half as Westfield State built a 30-point advantage.

For the game, Westfield State shot 42.2% (FG 35-83) from the floor and 37% (3PT 17-46) from deep. Salem State shot 43.8% (FG 28-64) from the field.

Gray had 18 points (FG 7-13) and five rebounds. Aitken added 13 points (FG 5-16) and six rebounds. Paschal finished with 23 points (FG 7-15, FT 9-11) and eight rebounds. Crawley had a double-double of 10 points (FG 4-8) and grabbed 12 boards.