Vikings Secure Senior Night Victory in Overtime

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State men's basketball held on to defeat Fitchburg State University, 92-89, in overtime at Twohig Gymnasium tonight. The win improves the Vikings' record to 10-14 overall and 7-4 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play.

Omri Merryman (Lynn, Mass.) led the Vikings with 26 points, shooting 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, while Nicholas Martinez (Revere, Mass.) contributed 20 points, four assists, and four steals. Tyrese Rho (Boston, Mass.) added 16 points, and Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) delivered a strong all-around performance, scoring 12 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking five shots.

For the Falcons, Nathaniel Semedo filled the stat sheet with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Matthew Drayton led the team with 24 points. Jalin Pitts (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Duvall Price (12 points, 14 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles in the effort.

How it Happened:

• The Falcons took an early lead and maintained it until midway through the opening frame, when Steven Jean-Louis (Charlestown, Mass.) sank a three-pointer to give the Vikings their first lead at 18-17.
• The Vikings extended their lead to as much as nine points, but Matthew Drayton kept the Falcons in it, hitting four three-pointers, including one at the buzzer, to give the Falcons a narrow 42-41 lead at halftime.
• The Vikings stayed within reach, with Merryman's second three-pointer of the half cutting the lead to a one-possession game at the midway mark before his next deep ball at the seven-minute mark put the Vikings back on top, 72-71.
• The teams exchanged baskets for the next five minutes until Merryman answered again, tying the game at 80 with his fifth three-pointer. With less than 90 seconds remaining, both teams swapped the lead once more before Rho tied it at 82 from the free-throw line. The Vikings then came up with a critical stop to send the game into overtime.
• Less than a minute into overtime the Vikings found themselves up four after but the Falcons would stick around and come within one point two more times during overtime, but a perfect trip from  N. Martinez at the line would extend the lead to three with 14 seconds left. The Falcons tried to pull out the heroics in the final seconds but another defensive stop from the Vikings sealed the 92-89 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• This is the fifth time this season that Omri Merryman has connected on five or more three-pointers in a single-game.
• Three of Liam Byrne's five blocks came in overtime.
• Prior to the game the Vikings honored their two seniors, LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.) and Ethan Doyle (Salem, Mass.) and sole graduate student, Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.)

Up Next:

The Vikings will close out their regular season schedule on the road this Saturday, February 22^nd when they travel to Westfield State University to take on the Owls at 12:00p.m.