Castillo Nets 1,000th Point in Victory

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Michael Makiej (Andover, Mass.) poured in a game-high 31 points to lead the Vikings to the 84-76 victory over the Trailblazers of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). Senior guard Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) netted his 1,000^th point in the victory, making him the 27^th member from Salem State men's basketball to join the elite club.

To go along with his game-high 31 points, Makiej recorded eight rebounds, five steals and four assists for the Vikings. Castillo chipped in with 23 points while Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) and L.J. Hicks (Gardner, Mass.) netted 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Trailblazers' top scorers came off the bench as Jake Bluestein (San Diego, Calif.) connected on five three-pointers for 15 points and Craig Williams (Dover, DE.) added 14 points in the effort.

Despite a slow start from both squads, Makiej was a bright spot as he notched the game's first basket at the 17- minute mark after getting a three-pointer to fall. He then went on to score six of the Vikings' next eight points to give them a slim 11-9 lead with 13:05 remaining in the half. The Vikings would find themselves ahead by as many as seven points before the Trailblazers went on a 10-1 run to claim their first lead of the afternoon (19-18) with 8:44 remaining in the half. Over the next four minutes, Makiej and Castillo would combine for 13 of Salem's 16 points to reclaim the Vikings' slight advantage (34-27) with just over three minutes to play in the half. MCLA would make it a one-possession game at the 1:14 mark but the duo of Makiej and Castillo would once again distance the Vikings to make it a 38-32 game to head into the break.

Just two minutes into the second half the Vikings jumped out to the 11-point lead, but the Trailblazers answered with a perfect trip to the free throw line and a deep ball to make it a 45-39 game, in favor of the Vikings. Three unanswered layups for the Vikings were able to put them back up by a tally of 12 with 14:49 to play but a Trailblazer three quickly brought it back to a single-digit game. At the nine-minute mark the Trailblazers made it a four-point game before Makiej outscored MCLA 6-2 to give the Vikings the 68-61 edge. With under four minutes to play the Trailblazers made it a three-point game before Makiej went 3-4 from the charity stripe to distance his team by a tally of six (77-71).  The Vikings would stay poised at the free throw line and on the defensive end to take the 84-76 victory over the Trailblazers.  

Salem State is back at home on Wednesday, January 17 when they welcome the Lancers of Worcester State University for a 7:00p.m. start.