Judges Hold Off Vikings, 74-55

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State men's basketball welcomed the Judges of Brandeis University to Twohig Gymnasium for a Saturday afternoon non-conference bout.  Despite aggressive play off the bench for Salem State, the Judges were able to defeat the Vikings by a score of 74-55.

Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) and LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.) led the Vikings with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) added eight points and six rebounds while Omri Merryman (Lynn, Mass.) netted seven points off the bench in the effort.

For the Judges, Gilbert Otoo (Burtonsville, Md.) had a game-high 16 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists while Jake Bender (Hope, R.I.) and Ryan Power (Waltham, Mass.) chipped in with 14 points apiece in the win.

Behind a trio of three pointers, the Judges opened the game on a 11-2 run to force the Vikings' hand at a timeout just two minutes into the action. The Vikings were able to come out of the timeout with more life and found themselves back within six (14-6). Brandeis was then able to distance themselves over the next six minutes to find themselves ahead 13 before a Hicks' three-pointer stopped the bleeding at the halfway point of the first. Michael Makiej (Andover, Mass.) would tack on a layup in hopes of adding to the momentum, but the Judges went on a 14-2 run to make it a 20-point game (38-18) with 2:19 to play in the half. Josh Coffey (Norton, Mass.) would find the bottom of the basket before teammate, Sean Richter (Montague, Mass.), swatted two Brandeis attempts on the other end to send the game into the break in favor of the Judges, 38-20.

The Judges opened the half on a 7-2 run to add to their advantage before the Vikings were able to string together a couple unanswered baskets to chip away at the Judges lead. Facing a 20-point deficit with 12 minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings used a timeout to regroup which would work in their favor as it sparked a run, highlighted by gritty play), Juvens Louis (Everett, Mass.), Coffey, and Merryman, that would cut the Judges' lead in half (59-49) with just under seven minutes to play. Brandeis would use perfect trips to the free throw line and two unanswered three-pointers to find themselves ahead 70-53 with 3:17 to play, which would be enough to carry them to the 74-55 victory over the Vikings.

Salem State looks to bounce back Tuesday, December 12 as they welcome the Beacons of UMass. Boston to Twohig Gymnasium for a 7p.m. tipoff.