Makiej Joins 1,000 Point Club in Victory Over Lions

QUINCY, Mass. – Salem State men's basketball found themselves back in the win column tonight as they defeated the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) by a score of 83-66, improving their record to 9-9 on the season. En route to their non-conference victory, Michael Makiej (Andover, Mass.) became the 28^th member of Salem State men's basketball's 1,000-point club when his 23^rd point of the night soldified the milestone for the junior forward.

Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) poured in a game-high 33 points to go along with six assists on the night while Makiej added 23 points and 11 rebounds in the Viking's victory.

On the other side, Fahad Tarjali (Amman, Jordan) recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Joey Hanlon (Pembroke, Mass.) chipped in with 16 points off the bench in the effort.

To start the game Castillo and Makiej combined for 10 of their team's 12 points to give them the 12-6 edge with 15:01 to play in the half. ENC would chip away at Salem's lead, coming within two, but a deep ball at the 12-minute mark put the Vikings ahead double-digits (20-10). The Lions would answer with a 6-0 run before a Makiej three would make it a 23-16 game with 10:08 to go in the first. The Vikings held the slight lead for the remainder of the half and looked as if they would reclaim a double-digit edge in the final minute, but a missed three pointer would lead to an open triple on the other end for the Lions, making it a 44-38 game in favor of the Vikings entering the break.

Both teams traded baskets to start the second before the Vikings were able to string together four unanswered points to take the 55-45 edge with just under 14 minutes remaining in the game. Shortly after, the Vikings found themselves ahead by 13 points before the Lions halted their momentum with a perfect trip to the line, but Castillo would answer with back-to-back three pointers to make it a 66-49 game with eight minutes to play. Castillo would hit his fourth deep ball of the half three minutes later to extend the Vikings' lead to 18 points which would give them enough distance to hold onto the double-digit advantage and take the 83-66 victory on the road.

The Vikings are back at home this Saturday, February 3 as they welcome the Rams of Framingham State University for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup. Tipoff is at 2p.m..