Clark Posts 72-63 Victory Over Salem State

SALEM, Mass. -- Alaina Schatzabel poured in 22 points and added a game-high 10 rebounds as Clark rolled to a 72-63 victory over Salem State on Tuesday evening at Twohig Gymnasium. The Cougars improve to 3-4 while the Vikings are now 2-5.

Clark built a slim 12-10 first quarter advantage behind six points from Schatzabel. Salem State converted just 4-of-19 (21.1%) shots from the floor, but managed to stay close, limiting the Cougars to just 11 field goal attempts. Salem State behind 10 second quarter points from Liz Zaiter stayed within striking distance as a three-pointer by Kylie Gates tied the game at 21-all with 5:43 left in the second. Zaiter temporarily gave the Vikings a one-point lead, 27-26, but a Julianne Liebow three in the final seconds lifted Clark to a 31-29 halftime lead.

The Cougars extended the lead to seven in the third, but once again Salem State closed the gap as a layup by Zaiter brought the Vikings to within three, 40-37 with 6:46 left. Clark led by six points with just over a minute left, but Zaiter and Gates closed the period with back-to-back baskets to pull the Vikings to within 52-48 before heading into the fourth.  

Salem State was held without a basket for over five minutes in the fourth quarter as the Cougars built an eight-point lead. Despite nine points from Zaiter in the quarter, Clark iced the game at the free-throw line, making 10-of-18 (55.6%) attempts to seal a 72-63 victory.

Liebow finished with 20 points off the bench for Clark while Cam Richey was the only other player in double figures for the Cougars with 11 points. Zaiter led the Vikings with a game-high 28 points while adding nine rebounds. Alyssa Genness had eight points and Gates contributed seven points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals.