Worcester State Outlasts Salem State 69-67

SALEM, Mass. -- Gigi LeMay (Grafton, Mass.) produced 20 points on 9-of-12 (75.0%) shooting and added a game-high 22 rebounds with six assists and five steals as Worcester State came-from-behind to defeat Salem State 69-67 on Friday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Lancers improve to 9-8 and 4-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Vikings dip to 3-13 and 1-4 in the league.

Trailing 67-66, Sarah Blomgren (Lunenburg, Mass.), scored the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds remaining on a layup and later added a free throw after being fouled for her only points of the night. Salem State had one chance left, but a three-point attempt by Gabby Torres (Peabody, Mass.) missed the mark as Worcester State held on for a two-point victory.

Erin Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) netted 14 points and added seven rebounds while Elizabeth Gallella (Tewksbury, Mass.) had 14 points for Worcester State, which has won four of its last five games.

Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) led Salem State's offense with 22 points while corralling 11 rebounds. Irianis Delgado (Lynn, Mass.) added 13 points and nine boards. Torres had a strong night off the bench, pouring in 17 points for Salem State.

The Vikings behind Julia Mattera (Arlington, Mass.) and Zaiter – six points each opened up a 13-point first quarter lead. The Vikings' defense limited the Lancers to just 5-for-21 (23.8%) shooting as a Katie Wallace (Peabody, Mass.) three gave Salem State a 19-6 lead with 1:03 left in the opening period. Worcester State cut into the deficit in the second quarter as LeMay was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor. Salem State led by as many as 11 points in the second following a made basket by Delgado. However, Morgan Cronan's (Millbury Mass.) basket with :02 remaining drew Worcester State to within five points, 35-30 at the break.

The Lancers forced eight turnovers in the third quarter to pull even with the Vikings. Elizabeth Gallella's eighth point of the quarter brought Worcester State to within 50-48 before LeMay knotted the game at 50-all at the end of the third.

LeMay gave the Lancers their first lead of the night, 52-50 at the 9:37 mark of the fourth. The two teams exchanged baskets before Salem State went back on top after a layup and free throw by Torres with :45 seconds remaining. However, Blomgren went up strong for a layup, finishing the play and  eventual game-winner for Worcester State as she then came up with a key block to help secure the victory. 

The Lancers finished the game 30-80 (37.5%) from the field, but forced 22 turnovers, leading to 19 points. The Vikings ended the night 26-68 (38.2%) from the floor.