UMass Boston Gets Past Salem State 87-78

BOSTON -- Malik Lorquet and Zayas Emanuel each scored 25 points to lead UMass Boston to an 87-78 victory over Salem State on Tuesday evening at Clark Athletic Center. Lorquet also corralled 12 rebounds as the Beacons improve to 7-3. The Vikings slide to 3-10.

Connor Byrne and Jaden Castillo each poured in 19 points for Salem State with both Jarret Byrne - 13 points and 12 boards - and Connor, who finished with 10 rebounds contributing a double-double. Javier Osorio added 12 points off the bench for the Vikings, who finished the game 29-62 (46.8%) from the floor.  

Lorquet scored 17 first half points on 7-of-10 shooting as UMass Boston built a 40-36 halfime lead. The Beacons held a slim lead as the two teams played a tightly contested game, with Conner Byrne giving Salem State their first lead since 17:45 in the game with a layup at the 4:46 mark of the first. Lorquet made back-to-back baskets, including a dunk, before Tommy Burris put the Beacons back on top for good 34-32 with 3:12 remaining. Josiah Green cut the deficit to two points, 38-36 with :46 seconds remaining, but Zayas made it a four-point game with a jumper right before the half. Conner Byrne led the Vikings with 11 first half points.

UMass Boston continued their consistency on offense after halftime as they shot 50% from the floor (14-28), finishing the game, 32-64 (50.0%) from the field. Led by Emanuel, who had 19 second half points, including going 8-for-8 from the charity stripe and 3-of-4 from behind the arc, the Beacons prevented Salem State from reclaiming the lead. A Chris MacDonald free throw drew the Vikings to within 52-51, but the lead quickly grew to seven points following a Zayas three. A Mariano Rodriguez trey gave UMass Boston a nine-point lead, 74-65, with 4:38 left as Salem State could not draw closer than six points the rest of the way, before losing 87-78.