Goncalves Nets 1,000th Point in Setback Against Bears

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball junior forward Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) reached a milestone, surpassing 1,000 career points in today's 68-56 loss to Bridgewater State University. The loss dropped the Vikings to a 10-10 record for the season and 4-2 in conference play.

Goncalves led the Vikings with 14 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) added 12 points and six boards in the effort.

Kylie Grassi paced the Bears with 15 points, 11 of which came from the free-throw line. Kylee Piche contributed 12 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists, while Sophie Bradbury chipped in 10 points.

How it Happened:

• Thanks to seven points from Goncalves, the Vikings surged to an 11-3 lead midway through the first quarter, prompting a timeout from the Bears. Bridgewater State regrouped and narrowed the gap to a one-possession game by the 2:36 mark, but Salem State held on to lead 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.
• The Vikings held a slight edge for much of the second quarter until just over three minutes left, when Grassi sparked an 8-0 run, giving the Bears a 26-24 lead with 1:32 remaining. The remainder of the quarter saw a pair of lead changes before the game went into halftime tied at 28-28.
• The third quarter featured back-and-forth action, with neither team leading by more than four points throughout the frame. Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) gave the Vikings the final lead of the quarter after a triple put her squad ahead, 41-40, as they headed into the final 10 minutes of play.
• The Vikings maintained their slim lead until Pichee gave the Bears their first lead of the quarter with a layup at the six-minute mark. Four minutes later, a Bears' three-pointer sparked a 7-0 run, pushing them to their largest lead of the afternoon, 64-54.
• With just over a minute remaining, a layup from Zaiter brought the Vikings back within single digits, but Grassi sealed the game at the free-throw line, going a perfect 4-for-4 in the final 22 seconds to secure the 68-56 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• With her second basket of the night, Ernidia Goncalves became the 22nd member of Salem State women's basketball's 1,000-point club. The junior reached this milestone in just 69 games, making her the second fastest player in program history to achieve this accomplishment.
• The Vikings' starting lineup now includes four 1,000-point scorers: Liz Zaiter, Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.), Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.), and Ernidia Goncalves.
• By halftime, Goncalves had already recorded her 15th double-double of the season, finishing the first half with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Up Next:

The Vikings have a break from conference play this week as they travel to Lesley University for a midweek matchup against the Lynx, scheduled for 7 p.m.