Salem State Defeats Pitt.-Bradford, 76-60

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

BRONX, N.Y.- Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) and Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) combined for 49 points to lift Salem State to the 76-60 victory over Pitt.- Bradford, securing their third place finish in the CUNYAC COACHES vs Cancer Tournament. Also, Teng's performance in the tournament was enough to notch her all-tournament honors.

Goncalves and Teng each notched a double- double with Goncalves scoring 29 points to go with 21 rebounds while Teng netted 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) led the Vikings with four assists.  

After the game Teng talked about her performance on the afternoon and about being named to the all-tournament team. "It feels good we got the win and that I got to help my team.. It is definitely good coming into conference. I think this is my first double-double in a while it feels good coming after break" 

Salem state took the early 6-4 lead before Nicolette D'Itra (Revere, Mass.) furthered the Vikings' advantage with two more baskets to bring the score to 10-4. Midway through the first, the Panthers brought it to a three-point game (13-10) before the Vikings found their footing to go into the second with the 23-16 lead.

After the game coach White spoke about her team's performance in the first quarter. "I think that was important to give us momentum because the past few games we got off to a slow start in the first quarter, so it is good to set the tone throughout the game."   

The Vikings took the commanding 33-19 lead after a pair of three-pointers from D'Itra and Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) sparked their squad to a 10-3 run. The Vikings were able to hold their double-digit cushion over the reaming five minutes of the second to head into the break ahead, 47-32.

Despite an early three from the Panthers to start the half, the Vikings answered with six unanswered points to give themselves the 20-point cushion (55-35). However, the Panthers managed to cut into the lead with a 9-2 run spearheaded by Yasmine Abu-Aiadeh (Carlisle, Pa.). Despite another Panther run, the Vikings still found themselves ahead to enter the final 10 minutes of action.  

Goncalves netted the first basket of the fourth before both teams struggled to find the bottom of the basket, but the Vikings maintained their lead with six minutes remaining in the game. With five minutes to play, the Panthers found themselves within nine points before Nieves managed to steal the ball and find Goncalves for the easy two. Shortly after, Goncalves completed the three-point play, which would be enough to carry her squad to the 76-60 victory. 

Salem State will return to Twohig Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 3 for their first MASCAC matchup against Bridgewater State University; game time is at 5:00 p.m.