Second-Half Surge Leads Lasers to Victory Over Vikings

NEWTON, Mass. – Salem State men's basketball traveled to Lasell University tonight to take on the Lasers, where the home team would drain 11 three-pointes en route to their to 92-60 victory over the Vikings.

Nicholas Martinez (Revere, Mass.) led the Vikings with 19 points, while LJ Hicks (Gardner, Mass.) contributed 12 points. Liam Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds in the effort.

For the Lasers, four players scored in double figures, with Tyler Coston (Viera, Fla.) contributing all 18 of his points from beyond the arc (6-11 3PT). Andy Madesko (Sandy Springs, Ga.) had an all-around performance, adding 15 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the victory.

How it Happened:

• Hicks scored six quick points, including two three-pointers, to give the Vikings a narrow 12-11 lead and force the Lasers to call a timeout with 13:59 remaining in the half. The regroup proved effective for the Lasers, who responded with a 10-0 run before a jumper by N. Martinez stopped the bleeding and brought the score to 23-14 with just over eight minutes left in the half.
• N. Martinez kept his team in the game, scoring 13 of the Vikings' 16 points in the final six minutes of the half, cutting the Lasers' lead to 10 points, 38-28, at the break.
• The Vikings cut the deficit to seven points twice, but a pair of Laser runs, including four three-pointers in just over a minute, sparked a surge that gave the Lasers a 29-point lead, 69-40, with 11:13 remaining in the game.
• The Lasers would go onto lead by as many as 34 points before taking the eventual 92-60 victory over the Vikings.

Inside the Numbers:

• Tonight's 19-point performance from Nicholas Martinez marked his first appearance for the Vikings this season.
• The Vikings' bench recorded a season-high 30 points in the effort.

Up Next:

The Vikings return home this Thursday, December 5th, to host the Raiders from Rivier University at Twohig Gymnasium, with the game tipping off at 6 p.m.