Salem State Triumphs Over Fitchburg State,81-71

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass.- Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) and Michael Makiej (Andover, Mass.)  combined for 44 points to give Salem State an 87-71 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Fitchburg State on Saturday afternoon in Twohig Gymnasium.   The Vikings are now 9-7 overall and 3-2 in conference action, while leaving the Falcons still in search of their first conference victory.

Salem State's Makiej recorded an impressive double-double performance with 22 points and ten rebounds, shooting 9-16 from the field while Castillo remained consistent, leading the Vikings with three assists to go along with 22 points. LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.)  contributed five steals in the victory.  

On the other side, Joshua Jean Charles (Dorchester, Mass.) scored 21 points, while Kamau Franks (Converse, TX.) had five steals and went 3-5 from the field in the Falcons' effort.

Salem State jumped out to the early 9-2 lead to force the Falcons' hand at a timeout. The regroup worked in their favor as they were able to make it a three-point game (13-10) at the 14-minute mark.   Five minutes later, a Viking turnover led to an easy two on the other end to give the Falcons the slight 20-19 advantage, and their first lead since the opening seconds of the game. With 6:30 to play in the half the Falcons went on a 7-0 to lead by five before a Castillo jumper stopped the bleeding and made it a 28-25 game, in favor of the Falcons. Shortly after, Castillo connected on a deep ball before Makiej made a tough layup to give the Vikings the one-point edge, but that would be short lived as a last second basket from Fitchburg sent the Falcons into the break with the slight 31-30 lead.

For Fitchburg State, Frederick Siayor (Worcester, Mass.)  scored six points, Javon Taylor (Cambridge, Mass.) had three rebounds, and Braeden White (Spencer, Mass.) dished out two assists in the half. As for the Vikings, Makiej led the team in both scoring and rebounds with eight and six, respectively, while Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) had three steals while going 3-3 from the field. 

The Vikings wasted no time regaining the lead in the second half, as they started on a 6-0 run to find themselves up, 36-31 with 18:36 to play. Over the next five minutes both teams traded baskets and the lead until the Vikings notched six unanswered points to give them a seven-point cushion (53-46) with 12:02 remaining.  The Falcons would hang around and find themselves down by a tally of three before a 9-2 run from the Vikings gave them a double-digit advantage (70-60) with less than six minutes to go in the game. The Falcons would remain within striking distance and found themselves down by eight with 1:09 to play in the game, but that would be as close as they would get, as the Vikings held on for the 81-71 victory.

The Vikings will embark on a two-game road trip, taking on Westfield State and Bridgewater State for Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchups this coming week.