Gordon Rallies Late, Defeats Salem State 79-68

SALEM, Mass. - Megan Foley (Malden, Mass.) exploded for 34 points (FG 11-22, FT 12-13) and 14 rebounds as the Gordon College Fighting Scots earned a 79-68 come from behind win over the Salem State Vikings at Twohig Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Foley's 27 points in the second half rallied Gordon College after a poor first half. The Fighting Scots improve to 3-0 on the season while the Vikings fall to 1-2 on the year.

In the first quarter, Salem State held a slim lead of 17-13 behind teh solid play of Tatianna Lacoviello (Revere, Mass.). To open the second quarter, Imani Dottin (Cambridge, Mass.) made a layup and Julia Mattera (Arlington, Mass.) drilled a three to force a Gordon College timeout with 8:56 left to go in the half as the Vikings led 22-13. At the first-half buzzer, Katie Wallace (Peabody, Mass.) splashed a three giving the Vikings their biggest lead of the game as Salem State led 42-29 at halftime.

The Vikings were the more efficient team shooting the ball 50% (FG 14-28) from the field. Salem State showcased great ball movement and took smart shots. The Fighting Scots struggled shooting the ball making 37% (FG 10-27) of their shots while committing 12 turnovers.

Lacoviello finished the first half with 11 points (FG 3-7, 3PT 3-5) and four assists for the Vikings. Sarah Gibbs (Elizabethtown, Pa.) nearly had a double-double in the first half with 11 points (FG 4-7) and nine boards. 

In the third quarter, Foley erupted for 14 points. Foley was slashed to the hoop, making shots inside while getting out on the fastbreak. Foley also made a layup to tie the game at 57 with 00:47 left in the period. The Fighting Scots went on to outscore Salem State 28-15.

With 7:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gordon College took their first lead of the game, 61-60 as Gibbs dished it to a cutting Delaney McDonnell (Wells, Maine) for an open layup.

Foley scored 13 points in the fourth quarter by getting to the rim to seal the win for the Fighting Scots.  

For the game, the Vikings shot 43.1% (FG 25-58) from the floor. Gordon College shot 39.4% (FG 26-66) from the field but made up for it by converting 22 of 29 free throw attempts.

The Fighting Scots outrebounded Salem State 48-30. Gibbs played a huge factor in the rebounds grabbing 18 as well as scoring 13 points (FG 4-12).

Courtney Paschal (Waltham, Mass.) finished with 17 points (FG 6-17) and five rebounds for the Vikings.