1/21/2010 10:35:38 PM
Salem, Mass. -- Brian Clark (Deerfield, MA) scored a game-high 20 points and added seven rebounds as the Salem State Vikings topped the Fitchburg State Falcons 88-75 in a MASCAC conference game on Thursday night.
Salem State improved to 4-12, 3-1 in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference. Fitchburg State fell to 4-12, 0-4.
Clark, who shot 10-of-13 from the field did not miss a shot in the second half, scoring on each of his four chances.
Fitchburg State opened up a five-point lead early in the first half as Blake Sheldon (Westminster, MA), 16 points, five rebounds, hit a three-pointer to give the Falcons a 13-8 lead five minutes into the period. Salem State responded with an 8-0 run highlighted by a dunk from Nate Simpson (Lowell, MA) and a three-pointer by Tavone Wynder (Boston, MA) to regain the lead at 16-13.
The Vikings took control from then on and led by as many as 14 points in the first half. Timothy Graham, (Arlington, MA) who finished with 15 points, scored 10 points going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field to help the Falcons cut the deficit to nine at the half, 47-36.
Brennan Bennett (Northbridge, MA) scored 13 points and Tristian Shannon (Andover, MA) added 12 points and nine rebounds as the Vikings built a 15-point second half lead before cruising to an 88-75 victory.
Colin London (Worcester, MA) added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Falcons, which have dropped eight of its last nine games.
The Vikings, which shot 46% from the field out-rebounded Fitchburg State 51-38.
The Vikings will next travel to Bridgewater State for a 3:00 PM tip-off against the Bears this Saturday, January 23rd while Fitchburg State will host MCLA that same afternoon.