Vikings Dispatch Falcons 79-61

FITCHBURG, Mass. --  Sean Bryan scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds as all five Salem State starters scored in double figures in the Vikings's 79-61 victory over Fitchburg State on Saturday afternoon at Parkinson Gymnasium. Bryan went 6-of-9 (66.6%) frm the floor and added four assists as the Vikings even their record at 7-7 and remain unbeaten in the MASCAC at 3-0. The Falcons go to 2-10 and 0-1 in conference.

Conner Byrne added his second straight double-double with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Jaden Castillo provided 18 points and five rebounds while Josiah Green contributed with 15 points, four assists and four steals. Jarret Byrne finished with 10 points. 

Fitchburg State's Dayne Allen posted a double-double, in his Falcons debut, pouring in 14 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block. Javon Taylor chipped in 14 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists while junior Darien Norwood added 10 points off the bench.

Allen notched the first six points for the Falcons to knot the game at 6-all just three minutes into the contest. Salem State would push the score to 16-8 after a pair from the charity stripe from Castillo. The Green and Gold forged ahead 23-21 with a jumper from Allen and a layup by Taylor. Tied at 25-25, the Vikings would close out the frame with a 15-4 run, including nine points from Green to take a 40-29 lead into intermission. 

The Falcons opened the second half with a bucket from Javon Taylor, but the Vikings answered with a 9-0 run capped by a layup from Castillo to extend the lead to 53-35.  The Vikings, who shot 15-35 (42.9%) in the second half, opened up a 20-point lead (59-39) after a made three by Castillo. Fitchburg State connected on 13-29 (44.8%) field goal attempts after halftime, but were out-rebounded 20-15 by Salem State, which included just one offensive board. Bryan, who had a double-double after halftime, with 15 points and 10 rebounds, kept the Vikings' lead in double digits with four straight points and six overall for Salem State after the Falcons cut the deficit to 66-52 with 6:07 left. Fitchburg would not pull any closer as the Vikings earned an 18-point win.