Salem State Wins Fourth Straight

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Sean Bryan recorded his second triple double of the season to propel Salem State past MCLA 110-80 in MASCAC action at Amsler Central Campus Gym on Wednesday evening. Bryan posted 16 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists as the Vikings move above .500 on the season (8-7), winning their fourth straight game, while remaining unbeaten in conference (4-0). The Trailblazers slip to 6-7 and 1-1 in the league.  

Seven Vikings scored in double digits, headed by 15 points and 13 rebounds by Conner Byrne. Josiah Green had 13 points and Jarrett Byrne chipped in with 10 points and seven boards. Chris MacDonald scored 14 points, leading Salem State's bench, which posted 54 points. Javier Osorio (12 points) and Deven Okowuga (10 points, five assists) had strong games as the Vikings shot over 50% from the field (40-78). 

Hayden Bird topped MCLA with 22 points while Noah Yearsley had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Salem State raced out to an 11-3 advantage to open the game. Five straight points from Morris-Gray brought MCLA back to within 22-19 with 10:23 remaining. A three by Yearsley trimmed the lead to 32-31 before a 12-5 run by the Vikings to close the quarter, punctuated by a three from MacDonald, gave Salem State an eight-point halftime advantage. The Vikings went 13-15 (86.7%) from the free throw line while limiting the Trailblazers to just two attempts (2-2). 

Salem State exploded for 66 points in the second half, shooting 57.8% (26-45) to pull away. MCLA closed to with two points, 45-43 early in the period, but a 22-4 run by Salem State quickly pushed the lead to 20 points, 67-47. The Vikings maintained a twenty-point advantage for the rest of the half, led by 38 bench points to cruise to a 30-point win. Okowuga notched all 10 of his points in the second half, going 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line. Salem State dominated in the paint, holding a 44-24 advantage.