MASCAC QUARTERFINALS: Fourth Quarter Surge Sends Women's Basketball Past Worcester State, 64-61

THE BASICS

No. 4 Salem State, 64 vs. No. 5 Worcester State, 61

Records: 

Salem State University Vikings (13-13) 

Worcester State University Lancers (10-16)

Location: Salem, Mass.

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 

THE LEAD — Despite being down as much as 16 (47-31) with less than four minutes in the third quarter (03:37), the No. 4 seed Salem State women's basketball team utilized a 23-12 fourth quarter and topped No. 5 seed Worcester State, 64-61, Wednesday evening in Twohig Gymnasium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After an early Amayah McConney (Salem, Mass.) layup gave the squad a quick 4-2 lead, Worcester State's offense caught momentum and went on a 10-0 run for a 12-4 advantage, which led to a Vikings timeout. During the Lancers' early surge, Lena Waldron paced the offense with 10 points. Coming out of the break, both sides clamped down defensively, and Worcester took a 14-5 lead heading into the second.
• Throughout the second, Worcester continued its strong start from the first and found itself up 10 (26-16) with 3:10 left until half. However, the Vikings chipped away at the deficit and pulled within five (30-25) with 1:08 left in the frame thanks to a 9-4 surge. Yamilette Guerrero (Salem, Mass.) paced the squad with seven-straight points, highlighted by a three that made it a five-point game. Thanks to strong defensive play until the break, the Vikes went into the half down only seven (32-25).
• Throughout the third quarter, there was more back-and-forth play from both sides, and with less than four minutes left in the quarter (03:37), the Lancers grabbed their largest lead of the contest (16) when Mia Haynes made a layup, putting them up 47-31. Despite the large deficit, Salem closed the frame strong thanks to a 10-2 run that allowed the squad to go into the fourth down eight (49-41). Shakera Fullenwilder (Phenix City, Ala.) played a key role in the run, scoring 5 points. 
• In the fourth quarter, it was all Salem State as the Blue and Orange stormed back and pulled within one (52-51) courtesy of a 10-3 run, prompting a Worcester State timeout with 4:24 left. Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, Mass.) led the surge with four points for the squad.
• Coming out of the break, the Vikings grabbed their first lead since 09:08 of the first (4-2) when Gurerrero converted on a lay-in thanks to a nice look from Sunali Carter (Brockton, Mass.) , who capitalized on a Lancers turnover. Worcester State, however, would not go quietly, as Hannah Lomonaco nailed a three-pointer that made it 61-58 with 16 seconds left, prompting a Lancers timeout.
• After the timeout, Guerrero knocked down two clutch free throws and put the Vikes up 63-58 with 14 seconds left. Even with a late three by Haynes, it would not be enough as Salem completed the comeback for a 64-61 win.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Guerrero led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on 10-17 shooting, along with going 2-3 beyond the arc. 
• Goncalves was the squad's other scorer in double figures with 12 points, and she also brought down a team-high 11 boards. Her double-double was her 15th on the season, 55th of her career.
• On the defensive end, three different Vikings finished with three or more steals, led by Goncalves' five. Guerrero and Maria Orfanos (Lynn, Mass.) both finished with four steals apiece.
• For Worcester State, Waldron led the team with 19 points. Three others in Worcester's lineup also ended the contest with 10-plus points, with Aydan Gulliver finishing with 11 points and Haynes and Alana Smith each having 10 points respectively. 
• Smith led Worcester on the glass with 15 rebounds, and Waldron was not far behind with 13, as the only two Lancers with 10 or more rebounds.
• Salem has now beaten Worcester in all three matchups this season.
• The Vikings have now won their last three MASCAC quarterfinal contests, with two of those three coming against the Lancers.

UP NEXT: 

 Salem awaits the winner of the No. 3 seed, Westfield State, against the No. 6 seed, Anna Maria, to determine if the squad will travel to either the No. 1 seed, Bridgewater State, or the No. 2 seed, Framingham State on Friday, February 27.