Strong Start Propels Vikings to 103-89 Victory over Lancers

WORCESTER, Mass. – Salem State men's basketball senior LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.) sank five three-pointers to help the Vikings secure a 103-89 victory over Worcester State University this evening. The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) win  improved Salem's record to 6-11 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

Hicks led the charge with an efficient 22 points (8-9 FG), while Tyrese Rho (Boston, Mass.) contributed 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Nicholas Martinez (Revere, Mass.) added 12 points and dished out six assists in the win.

For the Lancers, Brandon Goris led the way with 23 points and five assists, while Ayme Daguilh chipped in 17 points. Shawn Hebert came off the bench to add 12 points in the effort.

How it Happened:

• Salem took control early as Merryman and Hicks combined for 12 points, putting the Vikings ahead 16-3 after the first four minutes of play.
• A dunk by Worcester at the 7:02 mark cut the lead to six, but the Vikings responded with six unanswered points, pushing their advantage back to double digits at 40-27.
• Salem extended their lead to as much as 15 before a shot in the final seconds by the Lancers made it a 58-45 game in favor of the Vikings at the break.
• The Lancers tried to make a push early in the second half, cutting the deficit to just nine points at the 14-minute mark. However, a quick response from Hicks put the Vikings back up 69-58.
• Worcester made it a single-digit game two more times, but Salem regained control down the stretch and extended their lead to as many as 18 points with three minutes remaining before going on to secure the 103-89 victory over the Lancers.

Inside the Numbers:

• Omri Merryman, LJ Hicks, and Jarnel Snow each knocked down three triples in the first half tonight.
• LJ Hicks' 22 points marked a season-high, while his five made triples set a career-best for the guard.
• With six assists tonight, Nicholas Martinez has now recorded five or more assists in three of his last four games.
• Steven Jean-Louis (Charlestown, Mass.) netted a career-high 12 points in his fifth appearance for the Vikings. 

Up Next:
The Vikings remain on the road this Saturday, January 25 when they travel to Fitchburg State University to take on the Falcons at noon.