Vikings Survive in Double Overtime

SALEM, Mass. –  Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) scored 39 points, including seven in double overtime as Salem State edged Colby Sawyer 114-112 in the final game of the Salem State Holiday Classic. Trailing 102-99 midway through the second overtime, Bryan connected on his fifth three-pointer of the night to tie the game before Evan Mason (Gloucester, Mass.) put Salem State on top for good, 108-107 with his second triple as the Vikings closed out the Chargers with free throws for their sixth win of the season (6-7).      

Dana Bean (Franklin, N.H.) and Patrick Coffey (Westford, Mass.) combined for 22 first half points as Colby Sawyer took a narrow 48-47 lead into halftime. The Chargers shot 21-35 (60%) in a half that saw nine lead changes.

A Coffey three-pointer gave Colby Sawyer an early 10-5 lead before a 7-2 spurt by Salem State highlighted by a three-point play from Alex De La Rosa (Boston, Mass.) tied the game at 12-12. The two teams traded baskets before a layup by Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) and a three-pointer by Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) gave the Vikings a six-point cushion at the 11:06 mark. Austin Boudreau (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) and Nick Backer countered with consecutive three's to tie the game at 25-all. The Chargers answered another Vikings' run late in the half as Backer connected for his eighth point and Jourdain Bell (Manchester, N.H.) added a bucket, tying the game again at 35-all. Trailing 43-40, Coffey and Bell put the Chargers back on top before a layup by Dana Bean (Franklin, N.H.) put Colby Sawyer up by one point, 48-47 at the half.

Animashaun had 12 points while Bryan added 10 for the Vikings, who were 16-35 (45.7%) from the field.

Bryan, who had 19 second half points, helped Salem State build a 60-50 advantage before the Chargers fought back behind the efforts of Bell, who scored 18 points in the half. A Jake Carrier (Manchester, N.H) jumper regained the lead for the Chargers, 75-74 with 8:31 left before an Animashaun tip-in capped an 8-0 Salem State run.

It was a tightly played contest the rest of the way with neither team being able to establish any momentum on offense. A Coffey put-back gave Colby Sawyer an 87-84 lead with less than a minute remaining, but Bryan answered with a three with 15 seconds remaining to force overtime.

Salem State held a four-point advantage in the first overtime, but baskets by KJ Synvrit (Miami, Fla.) and Bell tied the game as neither team converted a basket in the final minute.

Bryan's layup and subsequent free throw in the second overtime gave the Vikings a lead it would not relinquish, 112-107. Colby Sawyer had two attempts in the final seconds to tie, but both shots missed the mark as the Vikings held on for a two-point win.

Animashaun had a double-double of 25 points and 18 rebounds while Temitope Bailey (West Springfield, Mass.) added 15 points for Salem State. In addition to his 39 points, Bryan had seven rebounds and five assists for the Vikings, who shot 51.3% (41-80) for the game.

Bell ended the night with 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Coffey contributed 17 points and nine boards and Backer finished with 15 points and nine rebounds for the Chargers, who slip to 7-4 on the season. Colby Sawyer ended the game 48-94 (51.1%) from the field, including 8-20 (40%) from three point range.

Bryan and Bell were named Team MVP's for the Holiday Classic. Earlier, Endicott defeated Thomas 102-65 in the first men's game of the day.