Paschal's 23 Points Lifts Salem State

SALEM, Mass. - Courtney Paschal (Waltham, Mass.) finished with 23 points (FG 6-12, FT 10-14) four rebounds, and two assists to energize the Salem State Vikings to a 67-61 win over the Fitchburg State Falcons on Saturday. Paschal was aggressive throughout the game, attacking the hoop and getting to the free-throw line. Salem State improves to 5-14 on the season and 2-5 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Fitchburg State falls to 4-15 on the year and 2-5 in the league.

The Falcons connected three times from behind the arc in building an early 11-3 lead. Paschal brought Salem State back, converting on an and-one play to cut the deficit to 11-9 with 3:01 left in the first quarter.

Later, Julia Mattera (Arlington, Mass.) drove strong to the hoop and made a layup despite being fouled to cut the deficit to 22-17 in the second quarter. Liz Zaiter's (Peabody, Mass.) putback tied the game at 25-all with 2:26 left in the second quarter.

The Falcons held a tight lead of 31-27 at the end of the first half. Fitchburg State shot 36.7% (FG 11-30) from the field and 35.3% (FG 6-17) from the three-point line.  

Salem State shot 44% (FG 11-25) from the floor and 33.3% (FG 2-6) from deep in the first half.

Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) led the Falcons in scoring with 11 points (FG 4-8, 3PT 2-5). The Vikings' Paschal led the squad in scoring with 11 points (FG 4-6, 3PT 1-1).

1:13 into the third quarter, Catherine Coppinger (Boston, Mass.) hit one-of-two free throws to give Fitchburg State their largest lead of 37-27. However, Salem State got to within a point 42-41 when Nicole Freddo (Marblehead, Mass.) took it to the rack and made the layup with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter. The Vikings then went ahead 56-49 after going on a 15-5 run to open the fourth. Salem State's Zaiter was a big boost for the team, scoring six points in the post.

Later, Mattera clinched the win, with a dagger from deep to put the Vikings on top 63-56 with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter.   

The Vikings finished the game shooting 40.4% (FG 23-57) from the field and 25% (3PT 3-12) from behind the arc. Fitchburg State shot 35.1% (FG 20-57) from the field and 35.7% (FG 10-28) from deep.

Zaiter finished with a double-double of 16 points (FG 7-16) and 11 rebounds for Salem State. Freddo added 12 points (FG 5-9), six rebounds, and three steals. For the Falcons, Marazzi dropped 16 points (FG 5-14, 3PT 2-5) and six rebounds. Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) scored 15 points (FG 5-9, 3PT 5-8).