Vikings Surge Past Fighting Scots

SALEM, Mass. – Kylie Gates led a huge fourth quarter comeback as Salem State outscored Gordon 35-17 over the final 10 minutes to win 85-77. Gates, who finished with 20 points and seven assists was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line in the fourth quarter. The Vikings win their second straight to go to 2-4 while the Fighting Scots slip to 2-3. 

Salem State's Ernidia Goncalves produced a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds while starters Jaylen Nieves - 11 points, four assists and Abuk Teng - 15 points, eight rebounds contributed to the win. Amayah McConney had eight points in 12 minutes of action off the bench.

For Gordon, Woynitu Ciccarello scored 19 points and had four steals while Naomi Nicholson added 12 points and 10 assists. Ami Rivera tallied 11 points and six rebounds.  

How it Happened:

• Gordon erased an early 7-2 deficit as five straight points by Ciccarello tied the game before a layup by Rivera gave Gordon an 11-9 lead. Despite Gordon shooting just 2-of-9 (22.9%) from three-point range in the first quarter, Jayme Kiser's three gave the Fighting Scots a 21-18 lead at the end of one. 
• McConney sparked the Vikings with six points off the bench as Salem State came back to take a 36-34 lead late in the second quarter. However, Ciccarello's second three-pointer of the quarter gave the Fighting Scots a 36-35 halftime lead. 
• Gordon used a 12-5 run with five of the points coming from Sophie Peters to go up 49-41 in the third. Nicolette D'Itria's layup drew Salem State to within five, 53-48, but behind seven points from Rivera in the quarter, the Fighting Scots took a double-digit lead into the final 10 minutes, 60-50. 
• Back-to-back three's by Salem State's Nieves and Gates cut the deficit to 64-58 with 7:14 left in the fourth. Goncalves kept the rally going with a steal and layup as the Vikings suddenly only trailed by two. Gates finally put the Vikings in front, 74-71 with her second made three with 3:46 to go. Gates then broke a 74-all tie with a jumpshot and then found Goncalves beneath the basket for a layup, giving Salem State a 78-74 cushion as the Vikings won going away, 85-77.    

Inside the Numbers:

• Salem State shot 47.1% (33-70) from the floor while Gordon was 30-68 (44.1%).
• The Vikings out-rebounded the Fighting Scots 48-30. 
• Salem State is now 14-4 all-time against Gordon. 

Up Next:

The Vikings will face Johnson & Wales next Wednesday, December 4 at home @ 7:00 pm.