Strong Second Half Pushes Salem State Past Curry

MILTON, Mass. - Josiah Green scored 22 points and Sean Bryan added 20 as Salem State won their fourth straight game with an 86-69 victory over Curry College on Wednesday evening in non-conference action at the Dr. Eleanor Meyerhoff Katz Gymnasium. Bryan scored 16 second half points and finished with a team-high eight rebounds as Salem State erased a one-point deficit at the half to win going away. The Colonels slip to 0-3 to start the season.

Salem State was efficient offensively in the first half, shooting 16-of-26 (61.5%) from the field, led by Green's 17 points. The Vikings built an early five-point margin after a laup by Chris MacDonald. Deven Okowuga put-back a missed shot to increase the the lead to 27-19 with 9:27 remaining. However, an 8-0 run by the Curry, which included five points from Lowelle Torres tied the game at the 6:28 mark. The two teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way with Torres putting the Colonels on top 48-47 with a three right before halftime. Curry connected on 18-of-36 attempts (50%) in the opening half.

An 8-2 spurt midway through the second half following a three from Bryan gave Salem State a seven-point cushion, 61-54. Again the Colonels fought back, as a JayQuan Leonard free throw pulled Curry to within a point, 61-60 with 11:52 remaining. The Vikings then took control, going on a 25-9 surge over the final 11 minutes. Bryan had 11 points during the run while Jaden Castillo - five points and Javier Osorio - four points contributed to the run. The Vikings held the Colonels to just 9-of-35 (25.7%) shooting in the second half. 

Osorio finished with nine points on 4-of-5 (80.0%) shooting while Castillo contributed with seven points and six rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench. 

Leonard led Curry with 15 points and seven rebounds. Torres had 14 points in limited action for the Colonels while Frankie Santiago - 12 points, eight rebounds and Angelo Sardegna - 12 points played well for Curry.