Babson Overpowers Vikings on Final Day of Big 4 Challenge

MEDFORD, Mass. – On the final day of the New England Big 4 Challenge, Salem State men's basketball fell to Babson College 89-58. The Vikings are back at home this Tuesday, November 22 when they will host the Fighting Scots of Gordon College with hopes of getting back in the win column.

The Vikings were spearheaded by Conner Byrne (Melrose, Mass.) who had 19 points and five rebounds. Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, Mass.) and Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.) each added 11 points in the loss.

On the other side, Andrew Kirkpatrick (Winnetka, Ill.) and Nate Amado (Hanson, Mass.) both notched 20 points with Kirkpatrick dishing out eight assists and Amado pulling in seven rebounds in the win.

The first half began as a back and forth battle with both squads exchanging baskets; it was not until the 13 minute mark that Babson began to establish a cushion after an Amado layup and Kirkpatrick three brought the game to 27-19 and forced a Vikings timeout. C. Byrne closed the gap for his squad and the Beavers when he converted an and- one that would bring the Vikings within six points with five minutes to play in the half. With 30 seconds before the buzzer sounded both teams exchanged three pointers to bring the score to 43-35 in favor of the Beavers entering the half.

The Beavers opened the half on a 7-0 run that forced the Vikings to take a timeout to regroup just two minutes into the stanza. A short while later, Castillo hit a three to put the Vikings on the board for the first time in the second half before back-to-back Beaver three-pointers gave Babson the comfortable 71-44 cushion. From that point, the Beavers would hold onto their advantage and take the commanding 89-58 victory.