Men's Basketball Falls to Salem State, 81-69

Salem State 81, Worcester State 69

Box Score

Salem, MA --- The inside-outside combination of Brennan Bennett (Northbridge, MA) and Terry Carter (Revere, MA) combined to score 35 points to lead Salem State to a 81-69 victory over Worcester State Tuesday night at Twohig Gymnasium.

The win improved the Vikings to 5-13 overall and 4-2 in MASCAC play while the Lancers even out to 9-9 and 3-3 in the conference.

The Vikings jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead thanks to a pair of hoops by Bennett. Worcester State roared back and took a 15-13 lead after six points from Tim Henault (Lunenburg, MA) sparked an 8-4 run. The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes until the Vikings seized control with an 8-0 skein. Bennett converted a three-point play and another jumper, and when Tavone Wynder (Boston, MA) drained a three, SSC led 30-23. Bennett hit a runner as the halftime buzzer sounded, giving Salem State a 41-34 lead at the break.

The Vikings slowly extended their advantage in the second half. Nate Simpson (Lowell, MA) connected from down low to give SSC a 51-42 lead with 14:57 left, then hit a pair of free throws to give the Vikings their first double-digit advantage. Dan Clark (Deerfield, MA) canned a jumper from the side to up the lead to 57-45, then his brother Brian Clark (Deerfield, MA) scored to cap a 6-0 run and give Salem State a 64-50 edge with 10 minutes remaining.

The Lancers remained in shouting distance, after buckets by Maurice Horton (Detroit, MI) and Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA) pulled them to within 11, 65-54, but Dan Clark single-handedly stifled the rally, canning three-pointers on consecutive possessions to give the Vikings a commanding 71-54 lead. Worcester State would not get closer than 12 the rest of the way.

Bennett finished with a team-high 19 points, including 12 in the first half. Carter added 16 - including six hard-earned field goals in the paint - to go along with a team-high six rebounds. Wynder and the Clark brothers scored 10 apiece, as the Vikings finished with five players in double figures.

Horton, WSU's leading scorer, was saddled with three early fouls, and managed just four points before fouling out. Goodwin led the Lancers with 13 points, Raheem Lewis (Northbridge, MA) added 12, Pat Hamilton (Templeton, MA) had 11, and Dave Douillette (Bridgewater, MA) finished with 10. Sophomore Jamaal Atkins (Webster, MA) gobbled up a game-best 11 rebounds while Lewis dished out four assists.

The Salem State defense was impressive, forcing 19 turnovers and holding Worcester State to just 37% shooting from the field. SSC turned the ball over just 11 times itself, and the Vikings hit 43% from the field.

The Vikings have the week off before returning to action next Tuesday at MCLA while Worcester State has a home non-conference game on Thursday against Wheaton at 7 PM before they entertain MCLA on Saturday at 5:30.

Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information