Vikings Win 64-63 Nail-Biter Over Panthers

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    SALEM, Mass.- Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) contributed 19 points to give Salem State the thrilling 64-63 victory over Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon in Twohig Gymnasium. This afternoon's victory sent the Vikings into winter break above the .500 mark with a record of 6-5.

Castillo went 5-9 from beyond the arc en route to a 19- point performance while Michael Makiej (Andover, Mass.) contributed nine points and nine rebounds in the victory.  

For the visiting team, Plymouth State, Giorgi Tisklauri (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored 20 points and Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) added 15 points, in just as many minutes, in the effort. 

Plymouth State notched the first basket of the game when Bosse hit a two-pointer before Salem State responded with back-to-back three pointers from LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.)  and Wil Martinez (Revere, Mass.). The game remained close for much of the opening half, with the Vikings finding themselves down by five (20-15) with less than eight minutes on the clock. Salem State managed to get back in the game as Martinez and Castillo connected on back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game at 23. 

Shortly after, Castillo put the Vikings ahead when another deep ball made it 28-25 in favor of Salem. The Vikings were able to hold their slight edge to head in the break ahead, 32-29.  

Less than three minutes into the second half, Plymouth State tied the game at 37 thanks to a three-pointer from Tisklauri. Shortly after, the Panthers were able to reclaim the lead and jump ahead by as many as four before a Makiej three brought his team within one point and ignited them to take the 46-45 lead just thirty seconds later.

At the 12-minute mark the Panthers went on an 11-0 run to give them an 11-point cushion (59-48) with 5:33 to play in the game.  Salem answered with 10 unanswered points of their own, with half of the points coming from Castillo, to tie the game at 59 with just over two minutes to play. The Panthers managed to take the lead going into the final minute of the game, but Castillo nailed a three-pointer to put the Vikings down by one, 63-62, with just 54 seconds left on the clock. In the final 24 seconds of the game, a Castillo layup would put the Vikings ahead by one-point and seal the eventual 64-63 victory over the Panthers.

Salem State men's basketball will have a short break before coming back to Twohig Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 3^rd  for their first conference matchup of the season against the Bears of Bridgewater  State.