Vikings Defeat Lancers to Sweep Season Series

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball bounced back with a solid 76-59 victory over Worcester State University this afternoon, improving their record to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play.

Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) put up another dominant performance, recording a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) led the team in scoring with 20 points, while Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) contributed 17 points in the win.

For the Lancers, Katie Hurynowicz led the way with 15 points while Hannah Lomonaco filled the stat sheet, contributing eight points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in the effort.

How it Happened:

• The Vikings played a balanced team game in the opening quarter, with five different players contributing to a 17-8 lead after the first frame.
• At the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, a pair of layups from Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) extended the Vikings' lead to 23-10, but the Lancers responded with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to five with 4:20 left in the half. Teng and Goncalves would score the Vikings' remaining points, keeping them ahead 31-23 at the break.
• Zaiter had a strong third quarter, scoring eight points, including two and-ones, to help push the lead to 51-42 heading into the final period.
• The fourth quarter was all Vikings, as they extended their lead to as much as 19 midway through the period. Goncalves capped the dominant stretch with a layup at the 1:21 mark, giving the Vikings their largest lead of 20 points, which held until the final buzzer in a 76-59 win over the Lancers.

Inside the Numbers:

• Liz Zaiter recorded a season-high 20 points in today's victory.
• Sunali Carter (Brockton, Mass.) had her best performance in a Vikings' uniform as the freshman notched career bests in points (7) and rebounds (5).

Up Next:

The Vikings remain at home this Wednesday, February 19^th when they welcome the Falcons from Fitchburg State University at 5p.m... Prior to the game the Vikings will honor their three seniors and graduate student: Kylie Gates, Abuk Teng, Nicolette D'Itria, and Liz Zaiter.