Vikings Defeat Lynx in Non-Conference Finale

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball wrapped up their non-conference schedule tonight with a trip to Lexington, Massachusetts, where they faced off against the Lynx from Lesley University. The Vikings saw all five of their starters score in double figures, leading them to a 73-55 victory and boosting their overall record to 11-10.

Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) led the way for Salem State with 14 points, while Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) contributed 13 points. Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) added 12 points, along with seven assists. Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) rounded out the scoring with 11 points.

For the Lynx, Bella Terry led all scorers with a game-high 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Aaliyah Wilburn chipped in 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the effort.

How it Happened:

• The Lynx were up by five midway through the first quarter before the Vikings used consecutive three-pointers from Nieves and Teng to take their first lead of the game at 10-9. The teams exchanged the lead over the final two minutes, with Salem heading into the second quarter with a narrow 18-15 advantage.
• The second quarter featured four lead changes, with the Vikings holding the frame's largest lead of five points at the 4:05 mark. Salem would maintain the lead from there and head into the break ahead 31-28.
• Goncalves gave the Vikings their first double digit lead of the night, scoring back-to-back layups at the 2:53 mark to make it 41-31 game. The Lynx closed the gap to nine with less than ten seconds left in the third, but jumper at the buzzer by Zaiter gave the Vikings an 11-point advantage, 50-39, as they entered the final quarter.
• The Vikings maintained control for the remainder of the game, stretching their lead to as much as 19 points after a triple from Teng gave them a 67-48 advantage before ultimately going on to secure the 73-55 victory over the Lynx.

 Inside the Numbers:

• Jaylen Nieves scored a season-high 14 points in tonight's victory.
• Ernidia Goncalves recorded her 10^th consecutive double-double to bring her total on the season to 16.
• With their win tonight, the Vikings wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 5-2 record.

 Up Next:

The Vikings are back in conference play this Saturday, February 8^th when they travel to Framingham State University to take on the Rams at 2 p.m.