Vikings Win Fifth Straight

WORCESTER, Mass. - Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) led Salem State with 28 points on 10-16 (62.5%) shooting and added nine rebounds as the Vikings defeated Worcester State 96-81 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at John P. Brissette Court. The MASCAC's leading scorer at over 25 points per game also contributed seven assists and five steals.

Salem State, which won their fifth straight, advance to 12-8 overall (6-1 MASCAC) while the Lancers fall to 10-10 overall (3-4 MASCAC).

The Vikings opened up scoring on a Temitope Bailey (W. Springfield, Mass.) jumpshot which started the Salem State offense's attack. At the 7:48 mark in the first half Emeka Egwuatu (Worcester, Mass.) put up a strong dunk, pulling Worcester State to within seven points

Both teams played strong and the Lancers refused to let the Vikings out of their sights. Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) grabbed seven points in the last 93 seconds of the first half to put the Lancers within four heading into the locker room at the half, 47-43.

Chris Cardoso put up a triple and then a free throw to bring Worcester State within one of the Vikings. However, Salem State went on a 9-0 run to go up 75-62 with 9:33 remaining in the half. Bryan put up 16 points in the half as the Vikings began to pull away.   

Hakkem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) put up a double-double grabbing 12 boards and 16 points while Bryan Martinez (Salem, Mass.) had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings.

Dion totaled 20 points despite the Lancer loss, grabbing four triples in the total.