Vikings Triumph 82-56 Over Colonels

SALEM, Mass. -- Conner Byrne posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds and Chris MacDonald added 15 points and five rebounds as Salem State went wire-to-wire in defeating Curry 82-56 on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Vikings post their first win of the 2022-23 season (1-2) while the Colonels remain winless at 0-4.

Jarret Byrne led Salem State in the first half with 12 points, going 6-for-6 from the field as the Vikings built a 35-25 halftime advantage. Leading 8-5, Salem State went on an 11-4 run to take a 19-9 lead following a Jarret Byrne layup with 10:53 left. Five quick points by Lowelle Torres and a basket by Frankie Santiago Jr. drew the Colonels to within 21-18 before Jason Romans made it a two-point deficit with 3:33 left before halftime. Howver, Salem State closed the half with seven straight points to take a 10-point lead.  

The Vikings held Curry without a point until the 15:05 mark of the second, while building a commanding 52-27 after a made basket by Javier Osorio. Salem State maintained a comfortable 20-point margin through the rest of the game, with the lead climbing as high as 28 after a Josh Coffey layup. MacDonald posted 11 points after halftime, going 4-for-4 from the field with two three-pointers. 

The Vikings turned 13 turnovers into 18 fastbreak points and outscored Curry in the paint 52-20.

Jarret Byrne finished with 14 points and five rebounds for Salem State while Josiah Green had six points and 10 assists. Lowelle Torres topped the Colonels with 19 points while Santiago Jr. and Tommy Mallinson each ended with eight points each.

Salem State had their best shooting performance of the season, going 35-of-60 (58.3%) while limiting Curry to just 23-of-69 (33.3%) shooting.