Women's Basketball Falls to Salem State, 69-45

Framingham, MA - The Salem State College women's basketball team used a torrid second half to cruise to a 69-45 win over the Framingham State Rams tonight in Framingham.  The win snaps a four game losing streak for the Vikings who are now 6-9 on the season and 1-2 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action, while the Rams fall to 7-9 overall and 1-3 in conference.

The Vikings dominated the offensive glass as they hauled in 20 offensive rebounds which they converted into 21 second chance points, while the Rams only converted nine second chance points.  The Viking bench outscored the Rams bench 34-14 in the game including 20-10 in the second half when the Vikings opened up a comfortable lead. 

Salem State's defense forced 20 turnovers in the game and held the Rams to just 25% shooting from the floor in the second half (7-28) and 31% for the game.  The Vikings shot 45% from the floor in the second half and 40% overall for the game.

Freshman guard Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) was the only Viking to record double figures as she finished with a team high 10 points.  Classmates Kerry Stokes (Newbury, MA) and Kristen Federico (Peabody, MA) added nine points apiece. Forwards Monise Louinord (Lynn, MA) and Nicole Boutin (Chicopee, MA) each chipped in eight points, while junior Katie Bielonko (Chicopee, MA) grabbed a team-high 10 boards.

The Rams were led by sophomore forward Jill Johnson (Mansfield, MA) who scored a game-high 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field to go along with six boards and three steals.  Sophomore guard Nicole McConaghy (Medford, MA) added nine points and seven boards, while junior Toya Chester (Ayer, MA) grabbed a game-high 12 boards.

Both teams return to conference action on Thursday night as the Rams travel to MCLA at 5:30 p.m. and the Vikings host Fitchburg State at 6 p.m.