Gulls Sail Past Vikings 89-61

SALEM, Mass. - Keith Brown (Pelham, NH) scored 32 points (FG 12-21, 3PT 8-13) and added five rebounds to lift the Endicott Gulls to an 89-61 win over the Salem State Vikings at Twohig Gymnasium on Thursday night. The Gulls' strong shooting 46.8% (FG 36-77) carried them to the win as they improve to 7-3 on the season. Salem State slips to 1-9 on the year.

With the score tied 9-9, the Gulls went on an 8-0 run as Brown scored eight consecutive points. Brown hit a pair of threes and a layup to make it 17-8 with 13:26 left in the first half.

Endicott's lead got as high as 16 points when Louis Ellis (Lynnfield, Mass.) scored a tough layup inside. The Gulls were in front 36-22 with 3:42 to go in the half.

With 00:57 remaining in the half, Jalen Echevarria's (Lynn, Mass.) three-pointer from behind the arc pushed Endicott's lead to 50-28.

The Gulls controlled the first half of the game, taking a 52-30 lead into halftime. Endicott shot 59.2% (FG 22-37) from the floor while the Vikings struggled shooting 33.3% (FG 10-30) from the field.

Keith Brown scored 20 first-half points (FG 8-13, 3PT 4-6). Echevarria added 17 points (FG 7-10) and five assists. Endicott was able to make the right passes whenever Salem State pressed on the full-court which helped them build a big lead.

To open the second half, the Vikings started chipping away at the deficit. Jaden Castillo's (Lawrence, Mass.) bucket cut the Gull's lead to 16, 55-39.  

However, Salem State couldn't cut the deficit any lower as Endicott kept the pressure on with their perimeter shooting, converting nine threes in the second half.

The Gulls finished the game shooting 46.8% (FG 36-77) from the field and on the other side, the Vikings shot 37.1% (FG 23-62) from the floor.

Salem State committed 20 turnovers which Endicott turned it into 24 points.

Echevarria finished the game with 23 points (FG 10-15) for the Gulls.

Hakeem Animashaun (Dedham, Mass.) ended with a double-double of 19 points (FG 8-11) and 11 rebounds.