Jarret Byrne Beats the Buzzer, Bryan Nets 32 in "Senior Day" Win

SALEM, Mass.  –  Jarret Byrne's (Melrose, Mass.) layup at the buzzer sent Salem State to a thrilling 86-84 overtime victory over MCLA on "Senior Day" at Twohig Gymnasium. Tied, 84-84 and with seven seconds remaining, the Trailblazers' Hayden Bird (North Adams, Mass.) had a chance to win the game. However, his three-point attempt came up short as Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) grabbed the rebound and found Byrne ahead of the defense for the game-winner just as time expired.

The Vikings are now 13-9 on the year and 9-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Trailblazers dip to 9-11 and 4-5 in conference.

Salem State celebrated the careers of Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) and Patrick Bugler (Marblehead, Mass.) before their final regular season home game.

The two teams played a tightly contested game in the opening half. Four lead changes and three ties over the first 10 minutes saw the score knotted at 14-14 with 10:45 remaining in the first half. A four-point play by Dylan Morris-Gray (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y) put the Trailblazers on top 22-17 as MCLA built a five-point advantage. Later, five consecutive points by Noah Yearsley (Averill Park, N.Y.) gave the Trailblazers some breathing room, 31-25 with 4:50 remaining. However, Salem State battled back, as Conner Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) and Jarret Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) combined to score the final seven points of the half, allowing the Vikings to take a 32-31 halftime lead. 

Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) led Salem State with eight first half points as the Vikings connected on 13-of-30 (43.3%) field goal attempts. Morris-Gray topped MCLA with eight points while the Trailblazers managed to shoot just 12-of-35 from the field (34.3%) before halftime.  

Neither unit pulled ahead by more than five points in the second half. Both teams struggled from behind the arc with the Trailblazers managing to go just 5-of-16 (31.3%), while the Vikings were 2-of-8 (25.0%). Yearsley had an opportunity to win the game for MCLA in regulation, but his runner rolled off the rim just before time expired, sending the game into overtime.

The extra period saw MCLA take an 82-77 lead following a three by Morris Gray. However, baskets by Conner Byrne and MacDonald drew Salem State to within a point, 82-81 with :44 seconds left. Two free throws by Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, Mass.) put MCLA back on top 84-81, but Bryan calmly drained a three-pointer with :23 seconds left, setting up the game-winner moments later by Jarret Byrne.  

Bryan finished with 32 points, with 28 coming after halftime, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Jarret Byrne – 14 points and six boards and Conner Byrne – 13 points and eight rebounds were also instrumental in the victory. MacDonald finished with 13 points for Salem State, which shot 34-of-72 (47.2%) for the game.

Morris-Gray scored 24 points for MCLA off the bench. Gittens had 22 points and 12 rebounds while Bird – 15 points and nine rebounds and Yearsley – 14 points and eight boards also had strong performances for the Trailblazers, who were 29-of-77 (47.2%) from the field.