Slow start dooms MCLA Men as they fall at Salem 96-72

Majority Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information

Salem, Mass. --- Salem State's Shaquan Murray (Boston, MA) led the Vikings with 23 points as they held off the Trailblazers of MCLA to win 96-72 Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State improves their Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference record to 8-1 while going 14-8 on the season. MCLA slips to 5-16 and 1-8 in conference.

The Vikings doubled up the Trailblazers at halftime leading 54-27 before holding off a furious rally by the visitors.  MCLA got within nine at one point in the second half and only trailed 84-72 with 3:58 on the clock.  The Vikings however, wouldn't allow another point and Murray made some plays in the lane to pull away from the Trailblazers.

The Vikings had everything going for them in the first half as they immediately jumped out to 15-5 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. The mismatch created down low by the Vikings allowed them to outscore the trailblazers 32-18 in the paint. Drew Healy (Lowell, MA) and Marcus Faison(Cambridge, MA) each scored 11 points apiece in the first half. As a team, the Vikings dominated on the boards as they out-rebounded MCLA 26-15 which led to 17 points off second chances. The Trailblazers had a hard time protecting the ball as they committed 10 turnovers in the half which were converted into 11 points by Salem State. The Vikings received major contributions from their bench as they scored 15 points, seven which came from Ryan Cloutier (Pelham, NH). Salem State took their largest lead of the half -27 points- at the 4:12 mark that brought the score to 46-19. Adam Conquest (Gardner, MA) led the Trailblazers with 11 first half points while Dakari Hannah-Wornum (Dorchester, MA) added nine points. Salem State took a commanding 54-27 lead heading into halftime.

MCLA got into a groove to open up the second half as they shot 41% from the field compared to their 36% in the first half. Khalil Paul (Troy, NY) and Careem Kirksey (Dorchester, MA) combined for 19points in the second half that allowed them to come within 17 points after a Kirksey three-pointer at the 14:45 mark. Despite the large lead taken after the first half, the Vikings' defense allowed the Trailblazers to within nine points after a two-part foul from Brendan Bouthillette (Billerica, MA), who got called for a shooting foul and technical foul. However, the Vikings were able to regain a comfortable 20-point lead by outstanding guard play from Murray, who scored 16 points in the second half when his team struggled on offense. Murray went 6-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the 96-72 victory.

Faison, who also added 14 rebounds, and Healy both finished with 17 points while Jacob Lindland(Hamilton, MA) contributed 10 points. Hannh-Wornum led the Trailblazers with 16 points while Conquest finished with 13 points. 

Salem State will resume action on February 10th when they tip-off against the Bears of Bridgewater State University at 7:30 pm. MCLA will also continue action on February 10th when they take on the Rams of Framingham State University at 7:30 at home.