Rams Sneak Past Vikings, 75-66

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's basketball hosted the Framingham State Rams at Twohig Gymnasium tonight, with the reigning Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) champions securing a 75-66 victory. The win dropped the Vikings to 1-1 in conference play and 7-9 overall.

Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) led Salem State with a double-double, recording 18 points and 13 rebounds. Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) also posted a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) and Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.

For the Rams, Katherine Haselton and Chloe Rayko each scored 13 points, with Haselton adding eight assists. Faith Greene and Gabriella Redford chipped in 12 points each in the win.

How it Happened:

• The Rams started the game with a 10-0 run before Goncalves stopped the bleeding at the 5:47 mark with a perfect trip at the charity stripe. The Vikings spent the remainder of the first quarter closing the gap, eventually tying the game at 16-16 as they entered the second stanza.
• The second quarter featured back-and-forth action, with five lead changes and three ties before a jumper from Gates in the closing seconds gave the Vikings a slim 37-36 lead as they headed into halftime.
• The Rams regained the lead in the third quarter, relying on the three-point shot for much of their offense, as 15 of their 19 points in the frame came from beyond the arc, allowing them to take a 55-49 lead into the final 10 minutes.
• The Rams stayed in control throughout the final quarter, only allowing Salem to come within five points, before sealing the win at the free-throw line, converting 7 of 8 attempts in the closing minute to secure the 75-66 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• Before the game the Vikings honored senior guard, Kylie Gates, on becoming the 21^st member of the 1,000-point club last Wednesday in their game against Bridgewater State.
• Twenty-four of Salem State's points tonight came on second chance opportunities.
• Goncalves recorded her 10^th double-double of the season while Zaiter notched her second in tonight's effort.

Up Next:

Salem State women's basketball has the weekend to regroup before returning to action next Wednesday, January 22, when they travel to Worcester State University to face the Lancers at 7:30 p.m.