Bears Upend Vikings in Conference Play

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball traveled to Bridgewater State University this afternoon to take on the Bears for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) bout. A 33-point third quarter for the Bears carried them to the 100-70 victory over the Vikings, dropping Salem to 8-11 overall and 2-5 in MASCAC play.

Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) and Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) were bright spots for the Vikings on the afternoon as Gates had another all-around game with 20 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals while Goncalves recorded a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double. Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) also added 17 points in the effort.

For the Bears, all five starters surpassed the double-digit mark in the victory with Kylie Grassi (Plymouth, Mass.) and Sophia Gaucher (Lakeville, Mass.) leading the way with 21 points apiece.

The Bears jumped out to the early 6-0 lead before Goncalves notched the Vikings' first basket of the game at the 6:55 mark. The Bears would remain in control and lead by as many as eleven before the Vikings scored two unanswered baskets to close out the first quarter and make it a 24-18 game heading into the second stanza.

The Vikings would remain within striking distance until two minutes into the second when the Bears went on a 7-0 run to take the 35-22 lead with 5:53 to play in the half. A deep ball by Gates would cut the deficit to ten points less than a minute later, but the Bears countered with a triple of their own to add to their cushion. With one minute to play, Gates hit her second three of the quarter, but the Bears responded with a final-second triple of their own to make the score 47-32 in their favor going into the break.

Just one minute into the third the Bears found their largest lead of the game after a Grassi three made it a 20-point game (52-32). The Vikings attempted to close the gap, but Bridgewater's offense was too strong as they went on to score a total of 33 third-quarter points to take the commanding 80-40 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

The Vikings managed to outscore the Bears 22-20 in the final quarter, but it would be too little too late as the Bears would go onto take the 100-70 victory over the Vikings.

The Vikings are back home on Wednesday, January 31 as they welcome the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College for their final non-conference matchup of the season. Tipoff is at 7 p.m..