Vikings Fall to Nationally Ranked Polar Bears

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball welcomed the fifth-ranked team in the nation, the Polar Bears from Bowdoin College, to Twohig Gymnasium tonight, where the Polar Bears took home the 71-55 victory to remain undefeated on the season (8-0) while dropping the Vikings to 4-6.

Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) paced the Vikings with a double-double, registering 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) contributed 11 points and six rebounds.

For the Polar Bears, Sydney Jones filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds, eight steals, and six assists, and Abbie Quinn chipped in with 17 points.

How it Happened:

• The Polar Bears raced out to a 15-4 lead to start the game, but four points each from Goncalves and Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) in the closing two minutes of the first helped the Vikings close the gap, bringing the score to 21-13 as they headed into the second quarter.
• With 6:45 remaining in the second quarter, Abuk Teng converted a tough and-one to tie the game at 23. However, the Polar Bears quickly regained the lead and carried a narrow 35-29 advantage into the break.
• The Vikings remained within striking distance to start the third quarter, with their closest margin coming midway through when a layup from Teng trimmed the deficit to just one point at 40-39. However, fueled by five steals from Jones, the Polar Bears increased their defensive pressure and extended their lead to 52-40 heading into the fourth quarter.
• A three-pointer from Gates at the 8:23 mark brought the Vikings within 12 at 57-45, but that would be as close as they would get as the Polar Bears would pull away to secure the 71-55 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• Ernidia Goncalves has now recorded a double-double in consecutive games for the Vikings, with her 17-rebound performance marking her second-highest of the season.

Up Next:
The Vikings will close out their fall semester schedule this Saturday, December 14th, as they travel to Endicott College to face the Gulls for the second time this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.