Endicott Slips Past Salem State 78-74

BEVERLY, MASS. -- Sean Bryan produced 28 points and added eight rebounds, but Endicott held off Salem State 78-74 at MacDonald Gymnasium on Thursday evening. The Gulls improve to 5-3. The Vikings go to 4-6.

Connor Byrne and Chris MacDonald each had 10 points with Byrne grabbing nine rebounds for Salem State. Josiah Green connected for 12 points and Jarret Byrne had a team-high 12 rebounds.

Dillon Grant led Endicott with 19 points. Cameron Ray netted 16 points while Billy Arseneault earned a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists.

Bryan scored 14 first half points on 6-of-12 shooting. Despite controlling the boards, the Vikings out-rebounded the Gulls 21-13, Endicott took a 39-38 lead into the half. The Gulls built an eight-point advantage, 23-15 at the 11:14 mark of the first. An 11-3 run by Salem State tied the game at 26-all following a tip-in by MacDonald. Salem State went up 34-31 after a layup by Bryan, but a basket by Stephen Fama before another score by Bryan gave Endicott a one-point advantage at the break. The Vikings shot 17-of-36 (42.7%) from the field in the half.

Salem State took their largest lead, 71-63 with 6:08 remaining, but the Gulls went on a 15-3 run, taking the lead 72-71 on a tip-in by Dillon Grant. The Vikings pulled to within two twice in the final minutes, but Ray gave the Gulls a four point advantage with :27 seconds left. A forced turnover and missed three-pointer secured the 78-74 win for Endicott. Salem State finished the game shooting 31-of-64 (48.4%), including 7-of-of-17 (41.2%) from three-point range.