AMCATS Sunk by Vikings

Salem, MA -- Kristen Federico (Peabody, MA) knocked in 16 points and added six rebounds as the Salem State Vikings defeated Anna Maria College 91-65 in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium.

The win improves Salem State's record to 3-6 while the AMCATS slide to 4-5.

Anna Maria was in front for most of the first half. Led by Alison McCarthy (Lynn, MA) seven points and Samantha Ashton(Worcester, MA) six points the AMCATS twice led by as many as five points. Back-to-back three point plays by Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine) and Katie Pryor (Whitinsville, MA) helped the visitors build a 25-20 lead with six minutes remaining in the period. However, the hot shooting of Lisa Aylward (Everett, MA) 10 points on just five attempts and the play of Erika Batchelder off the bench, eight first-half points, kept Salem State within striking distance.

The AMCATS and Salem State looked like they were headed for a first period tie until a flagrant foul led to a Kristen Federico (Peabody, MA) free throw and four quick points by reserve guard Ashley White (Salem, MA) right before the half that helped the Vikings take a 41-36 lead into intermission.

White's spark off the bench propelled Salem State in the second half as the home team took advantage of  the momentum and ran off 14 straight points to take a 47-36 lead. A basket by Pryor finally ended the streak, but six straight points by Federico took the lead to 53-38 with 12:45 remaining and the rout was on.

Federico, who scored 14 second half points, and Bridget Dullea (Peabody, MA), 13 total points kept the pressure on the AMCATS.

Anna Maria never threatened down the stretch. The Vikings used a three-pointer by Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) and a basket by Rachel Clasby (Northbridge, MA) to push the lead to 23 points, 84-61 with two and a half minutes remaining.

Salem State's bench was pivotal in the win as the Vikings received contributions from Aylward, 12 points and six boards, Batchelder, 10 points,  and three rebounds and nine points from Sandra Lanier (Groton, MA).

Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, MA) added four blocks and five rebounds to help the Vikings snap a three-game losing streak. White finished with just four points, but had  five assists and four steals in just 15 minutes for Salem State, which forced 23 turnovers.

Cummings and McCarthy each led the AMCATS with 12 points while Pryor chipped in with 10 points for Anna Maria, which managed to shoot only 29.6 % in the second half and 34.5 % for the  game.

Salem State is off until December 29th when they host RPI at 5:00 PM in the Salem State Holiday Tournament. Anna Maria is at Framingham State on Wednesday, December 14th for a 7:00 PM game. 

Release courtesy Salem State Sports Information

Photo courtesy Lynette Colome