Women's Basketball Falls Short at Salem State
Salem, Mass - Bridget Dullea (Peabody, Mass.) scored 17 points and added eight rebounds to lead the Salem State Vikings to their fourth straight win as they defeated Framingham State University 69-60 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's basketball action on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium.
The win improves SSU to 7-8 overall, and 3-0 in the MASCAC, while the Rams slip to 8-7 overall and 0-4 in the conference.
Salem State's five-point halftime lead was whittled down to a tie, 38-38, after FSU sophomore guard Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) connected on a three-pointer with 14:38 remaining in the second half.
However, back-to-back buckets by Sandra Lanier (Groton, Mass.) and Rachel Clasby (Northbridge, Mass.) pushed the lead back to 43-38.
Trailing 47-38, the Rams rattle off four straight points by junior guard Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, ME) and a two-pointer by junior forward Kia Minor (Edgartown, Mass.) that put Framingham State down just three, 47-44, with 6:25 remaining.
Three pointers by Rachel Carter (Merrimack, NH) and Dullea gave Salem State some breathing room with a 53-46 lead. Two Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) free throws pushed the lead to eight points with just under a minute remaining and Salem State would eventually increase its lead to nine and secure the victory.
Dullea finished connecting on 6-of-12 from the field, including 3-6 from three-point range. Carter had a solid game, scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting for the Vikings. Sandra Lanier (Groton, Mass.) finished with 12 points while Kristen Federico (eight rebounds) and Comeau, who finished with seven points and seven rebounds, controlled the paint in the first half.
The Rams were led by Hoffman who led four Rams in double figures with a team-best 15 points, while Minor chipped in 14 points, four caroms and four steals. Against her former team Park contributed 13 points and six boards with freshman guard Nicole Bostic (North Easton, Mass.) also reaching double figures with 11 points and three assists.
The Lady Vikings held the edge on the boards, 43-40, and held Framingham State to just 36% shooting for the game (20-56).
The first half saw Salem State build a lead as the Vikings opened the game on a 13-4 run on the strength of seven points by Dullea. Framingham State, which opened the game hitting only one-of-their first six shots, managed to claw back to within five at 22-17 on a basket by Minor. However, Rachel Carter answered with a basket and free throw and Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) knocked in a trey to build the lead back to 28-21. A steal and layup by Minor right before the buzzer made the halftime score 28-23 in favor of the hosts.
Salem State will face Fitchburg State at home on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., while the Rams will host MCLA on the same night beginning at 6 p.m.
Release courtesy of SSU Sports Information.