Eastern Nazarene Tops Salem State 76-58

QUINCY, Mass.- Eastern Nazarene used a strong fourth quarter to break open a close game as the Lions secured a 76-58 victory over the Vikings at the Lahue Athletic Center in the first meeting between the two teams since 1987. The Lions remain unbeaten on the season and improve to 5-0 with the win while the Vikings slide to 0-4 overall. 

Irianis Delgado notched a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Salem State. Nicole Freddo registered 13 points while Gabby Torres chipped in with 10 points. 

Alondra Jimenez netted a team-high 14 points while adding eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals off the bench. Sydni Oviatt posted a double-double with 12 points and 15 boards on the night. Te'yalla Simpson  contributed 12 points and five rebounds.  

Eastern Nazarene sported a 48-46 edge heading into the final period. The Lions outscored Salem State 28-12 over the final ten minutes, including a 16-4 run to pull away for teh victory.

The two teams battled to a 21-21 stalemate through 10 minutes of action.  

Salem State used a 6-0 burst to seize a 31-26 edge as Delgado accounted for all the points with 5:18 left to play in the second quarter. 

Eastern Nazarene strung together an 8-0 run to claim a 34-31 lead with 1:53 remaining in the period. 

The Lions clung to a narrow 34-33 advantage at the halftime intermission. 

The Lions pushed their lead to 38-33 to open the third quarter. 

After Salem State knotted the contest at 38-38, Eastern Nazarene constructed a 48-42 lead with 1:21 to go in the frame as Tyra Davis (Houston, Texas) banked in a layup. Four straight points by Delgado cut the deficit to 48-46 to cut the deficit to 48-46 at teh end of the quarter.

Eastern Nazarene stretched the gap to 58-48 with 6:05 left to play in regulation on a layup by Richardson. 

The Lions widened the margin to 18 points as Delaney Walker (Nampa, Idaho) splashed her second trey of the game with 1:12 on the clock, 73-55. 

(Contributions from Eastern Nazarene Sports Information)