Freshman guard Jill Valley had nine points and six rebounds vs. Salem.
SALEM – Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) scored 25 points on 9-14 shooting as the Vikings of Salem State University sailed past Westfield State University, 78-62, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 18, at the Twohig Gymnasium.
The Vikings earned their first victory in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play (1-2) and improved to 6-9 overall. This loss gives the Owls their first defeat in MASCAC competition (2-1) as they slide to 9-7 overall.
Salem State relied on its inside game early in the first half to take an 18-7 lead. The Vikings shot 50% from the field getting good looks from Carter, Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, MA), and Ashley White (Salem, MA). Carter maintained the high pace offensively throughout the half, scoring 18 points on a near perfect 8-9 field goal attempts.
Keri Doldoorian (Whitinsville, MA) kept the Owls close accounting for one-third of Westfield State’s total offense in the half, scoring 11 points on 4-11 shooting. Carter led a 10-2 run that gave the Vikings a 14-point lead, their largest lead of the half, with just under five minutes remaining. The key to the Vikings’ success was their aggressiveness driving to the basket scoring 20 points in the paint opposed to Westfield State’s six. Salem State exited the half with a 39-28 over the Owls.
The Vikings opened the second half on a 15-2 run sparked by a long 3-pointer from senior captain Lara Bruni (Gloucester, MA). Westfield State retaliated with a quick 10-2 run that cut the deficit to nine with 13:15 remaining.
Salem State shot 81.3% (13-16) from the free throw line that would be its source of scoring for the remainder of the game. The Vikings also continued to look inside to Bruni, Ginny Fleming (Peabody, MA), and Melissa Saad (Worcester, MA) who combined for 20 points in the second half. Carter gave the Vikings their largest lead (19) of the night after knocking down a pair of free throws with 1:37 left that secured a 78-62 victory.
White finished the game with 15 points and four assists along with 12 points and six rebounds from Bruni. The Vikings limited Doldoorian to just two points in the second half as she finished with 13 points.
The Owls resume action on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. when they host Worcester State University.
