MIT Beats Salem State 76-55

Cambridge, Mass. - Christina Antonakakis (Holmdel, N.J.) scored 14 points to lead MIT to a 76-55 victory over Salem State at Rockwell Cage on Thursday evening. The Engineers go to 4-2 on the year while the Vikings slip to 1-7.

Liz Zaiter and Nicole Freddo each tallied 15 points and combined for 19 rebounds for the Vikings. Katie Wallace chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.

MIT mounted an 18-3 run during the last 5:40 of the first quarter to establish a 23-7 advantage after one period. Salem State shot 3-of-18 (16.67%) from the field in the first. The Engineers maintained their double-digit lead early into the second stanza, however, Salem State rattled off seven straight points to cut the deficit to 25-18 with 4:12 on the clock. Julia Mattera's three-pointer started the run and it was followed by a jumper from Freddo in addition to two free throws by Wallace. MIT responded with a 10-3 run in the next three minutes, but layups from Zaiter and Freddo during the final 40 seconds moved the score to 35-25 heading into halftime.

The Vikings carried the momentum into the third quarter as two free throws by Wallace coupled with a Zaiter jumper narrowed the gap to six (35-29) after two minutes elapsed. On the Engineers' ensuing possession, Antonakakis knocked down a three-pointer which sparked the pivotal 16-6 run. Zaiter recorded the next six points for Salem State as she buried a jumper and went 4-for-4 at the charity stripe. A trey by senior Annika Sougstad (Mahtomedi, Minn.) kicked off an 8-2 burst as MIT ended the frame with a 59-43 lead.

MIT held off the Vikings in the fourth quarter, paced by six points from Olivia Joseph and holding Salem State to just five field goals.  

Senior Kylie Gallagher (Upton, Mass.) posted 11 points and six rebounds while first-year Kamsi Nwogu (Algonquin, Ill.) tallied 10 rebounds, nine points, two blocks, and a steal. Choi finished with 11 points and two assists as Sougstad produced eight points, four assists, and two steals.

The Engineers shot 42.6 percent (29-of-68) from the floor, 32.0 percent (8-of-25) from three-point range, and 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from the free throw line.

Salem State shot 29.0 percent (20-of-69) from the floor, 10.0 percent (1-of-10) from behind the arc, and 87.5 percent (14-of-16) at the charity stripe.

(Contributions from MIT Sports Information)