Salem State Holds Off Men’s Basketball

MCLA’s Craig Williams scored 18 points but the Trailblazers fell to Salem State this afternoon in MASCAC action

Craig Williams had a team-high 18 points in the Trailblazers loss at Salem State.

January 18, 2025

SALEM, Mass. – The MCLA Men's Basketball team took to the road this afternoon for a MASCAC matchup with the Salem State Vikings at the Twohig Gymnasium. Quentin Gittens recorded his 18^th career double-double, pulling down a game high 16 rebounds and scoring 17 points but the Trailblazers ended up falling 76-70.

THE BASICS:

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Score: MCLA 70, Salem 76
Records: MCLA Trailblazers 3-13 (MASCAC 1-3) | Salem State University Vikings 5-11 (MASCAC 2-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED (courtesy of Salem State Athletics)

Salem's Nicholas Martinez led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 10 of 18 from the field. Tyrese Rho and Omro Merryman contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively, in the Vikings' victory.
For MCLA, junior guard Craig Williams (Dover, DE) scored 18 points, while senior guard Quentin Gittens (Pittsfield, MA) posted a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds in the effort. MCLA
Martinez and Rho sparked the Vikings early, combining for the team's first nine points to give Salem State a 9-2 lead, which they maintained until the 13-minute mark. At that point, a three-pointer by junior guard Colby Burleson (Pittsboro, NC) gave the Trailblazers their first lead of the game.
However, the advantage was brief as the Vikings answered with a 13-0 run, extending their lead to 27-14 with 8:45 remaining in the half but the Trailblazers drained four three-pointers in the final eight minutes to enter the break trailing by seven, 44-37.
The Vikings maintained a slim lead for most of the second half until the Trailblazers went on an 8-0 run, taking their first lead since the 13-minute mark of the first half with 2:42 remaining in the game. However, Salem State responded swiftly, scoring five unanswered points to reclaim a 72-69 advantage.
With just over a minute to go, the Trailblazers cut the deficit to two points, but the Vikings sealed the win by hitting all four of their free throws in the final 25 seconds, securing a 76-70 victory over MCLA.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Field Goals / %: MCLA 23-57 / 40.4%, Salem 29-65 / 44.6%
3 Points / %: MCLA 7-19 / 36.8%, Salem 5-18 / 27.8%
Free Throw / %: MCLA 17-25 / 68%, Salem 13-15 / 86.7%
Rebounds: MCLA 40, Salem 32
Points off Turnovers: MCLA 12, Salem 26
Second Chance Points: MCLA 7, Salem 3
Points in the Paint: MCLA 30, Salem 30
Bench Points: MCLA 6, Salem 19

UP NEXT:

On Wednesday, MCLA will be back in action when they travel to Framingham State for a MASCAC matchup with the Mascot at the Framingham State University Athletic and Recreation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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