Salem State Advances to MASCAC Semifinals With 82-63 Victory Over Fitchburg State

SALEM, Mass. – Third seeded Salem State posted an 82-63 victory over sixth seeded Fitchburg State in the quarterfinals of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Vikings, who are now 14-12 take on second seeded Framingham State in the semifinals this Thursday, February 27. The Falcons end their season 3-23.  

Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) led Salem State with 18 points, going 8-for-11 (72.3%) from the floor with 17 rebounds and three blocks. Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) contributed 14 points and six assists while Abuk Teng (Manchester, N.H.) - 13 points, six assists and Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.) - 11 points also providing strong performances.

Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) topped Fitchburg State with 22 points on 7-for-17 (41.2%) shooting while Stephanie Hart (Shirley, Mass.) chipped in with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.

How it Happened:

• Salem State took a quick 9-0 lead after a three by Gates at 7:59 of the first. However, Fitchburg State battled back behind seven first quarter points from Harlow, who cut the deficit to just three before a Kylie Schrock (Rockport, Mass.) basket gave the Vikings a 17-12 advantage at the end of one. 
• The Falcons went cold from the floor in the second quarter as Salem State built a 15-point lead following a three by Teng, who had eight points in the quarter. Fitchburg State went just 4-for-15 (26.7%) from the field and 1-of-5 from thee-point range in the second.    
• The Vikings continued to extend their lead after carrying a 37-23 advantage into the third quarter. Goncalves was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field as Salem State built an 18-point margin.        
• Leading by 23 points, the Vikings emptied their bench in the fourth as the reserves combined for 12 points in the quarter. A Jaylen Nieves (Chicopee, Mass.) three-produced the largest lead of the night for Salem State, 75-52 with 4:04 left.

Inside the Numbers:

• Salem State finished 33-for-80 (41.3%) from the field, including 9-for-20 (45.0%) from three-point range. 
• Fitchburg State was just 22-for-68 (32.4%) from the floor.
• Goncalves recorded her 19th double-double, which is 4th in the NCAA. 

Up Next:

The Vikings will head to Framingham State to face the second seeded Rams on Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 pm in the MASCAC Semifinals.