Gates Leads Charge in 82-73 Victory Over Lancers

WORCESTER, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball notched their second win of the week after defeating Worcester State by a score of 82-73. This afternoon's Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory improved the Vikings record to 11-12 on the season and 4-6 in MASCAC play.

Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) exploded for 27 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds while Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) added 21 points for the Vikings in the victory.

On the other side, Lena Waldron (Quincy, Mass.) and Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, Mass.) both netted 17 points in the effort.  

The first quarter saw back and forth action between the Vikings and Lancers with the largest lead coming at the one-minute mark after back-to-back buckets put the Lancers ahead, 18-14. However, Gates had an answer as she connected on a three to make it a one-possession game (19-17) heading into the second quarter.

 Waldron opened the second with a deep ball to give the Lancers the five-point edge, but the game would once again reach a stalemate at the 5:28 mark when a layup from Goncalves would make it a 28-28 game. Two minutes later, Haley Phillips (Haverhill, Mass.) and Gates would combine and go 3-4 from the charity stripe to reclaim the lead for the Vikings (31-28) with three minutes to play in the half. The Vikings would hold the slight lead before a last second jumper from the Lancers would send the game into the half tied at 35 apiece.

In similar fashion to the start of the game, both squads traded baskets before the Lancers got their footing and went on a 7-2 run to take the 55-40 edge with 4:54 to play in the third. However, their lead would be short lived as the Vikings closed the quarter on a 10-2 run, spearheaded by two triples from Gates, to take the 56-54 lead to head into the final ten minutes of action.

Salem built on their lead in the fourth quarter as they found their largest lead (69-59) with just over five minutes to play in the game. Two minutes later the Lancers would make it a seven-point game but that would be as close as they would get as the Vikings held on for the 82-73 victory.

The Vikings are back on the road this Wednesday, February 14 as they travel to Fitchburg State University to take on the Falcons for a 5p.m. tipoff.