Vikings Fall Short in MASCAC Battle

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball fought hard but fell 72-65 to Framingham State University this afternoon, bringing their record to 11-11 on the season and 4-3 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play.

Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) led the Vikings with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) posted a double-double of her own with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Abuk Teng (Manchester, Mass.) added 14 points, and Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) registered a game-high six assists.

For the Rams, Katherine Haselton led the way with 23 points and four assists, while Faith Greene contributed a dominant 18 points and 18 rebounds in the victory.

How it Happened:

• Teng gave the Vikings their first lead of the game at the 2:25 mark, converting a tough basket and completing the three-point play to put her team ahead, 18-15. The Vikings would go on to carry a slim 18-17 lead into the second quarter.
• Back-to-back layups from Goncalves to start the second quarter gave the Vikings a five-point lead, but the Rams stayed within striking distance and regained the lead at the 2:05 mark when a three-pointer from Greene made it 33-32. Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) and Zaiter then scored all of the Vikings' remaining points in the quarter, with Nieves hitting a three to put Salem State back ahead five, 40-35, heading into the break.
• The Rams made their move in the third quarter, holding the Vikings scoreless over the final three minutes while adding 11 points of their own to take a 57-50 lead into the final period.
• The Vikings quickly cut the lead to one possession with two quick baskets to start the fourth, and then took a 63-61 lead after a layup from Gates at the 5:05 mark. However, the Rams responded with a 10-0 run to pull away before ultimately securing the 72-65 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• Liz Zaiter's 23 points marked her highest scoring performance of the season.
• This is the third time this season that Liz Zaiter and Ernidia Goncalves have recorded double-doubles in the same game.
  
  

Up Next:

The Vikings have the week to regroup before returning to action at home on Saturday, February 15th, when they host Worcester State University at Twohig Gymnasium for their Black History Month game, with tip-off set for 2 p.m.