Women's Basketball: Vikings Steer Past AMCATS

Paxton, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior Taylor Walker (Winchendon, Mass.) posted her third-straight double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough, as Salem State University defeated the AMCATS 74-49, in non-conference women's basketball action on Tuesday evening at Fuller Activities Center. The Vikings improve to 2-1 on the year, while AMC dips to 1-2.

Junior Trafficia Warburton (Worcester, Mass.) joined Walker in the double-double ranks notching 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with 6 steals and 3 assists. Freshman Deja Taitt (Jamaica, NY) added six points, 4 boards, two helpers and 4 steals in thirty minutes of play.

With the teams tied at 5-5, Anna Maria would go on a 5-0 run with three points by Warburton and a basket by Walker to hold a 10-5 lead with 12:47 to play. The Vikings' responded with three baskets by junior Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) sandwiched around a Walker free-throw and the game was all square at 11-11. A three-pointer from deep in the corner by freshman Christina Gauvin (Dudley, Mass.) pushed AMC ahead 14-13, it would be the last lead of the game for the AMCATS. Carter converted a pair of three-point plays as Salem went on a 13-2 run to put the guest on top 27-16.

After an AMCAT timeout, Anna Maria would make a streak of their own, an 11-2 stretch, capped off by a Taylor Walker layup on a nice feed from guard Brandi Pasternack (North Brookfield, Mass.) to cut the deficit to 29-27, however Carter would add a bucket right before the buzzer and Salem would take a 31-27 lead into intermission.

Anna Maria's Walker would hit the opening bucket of the second half to once again make it a one possession game but the Vikings would answer with an 12-0 run to take a commanding 43-29 lead with 16:32 remaining in regulation before back-to-back baskets by Warburton and Taitt ended the run. Salem State kept up the defensive pressure and kept AMC at bay to cruise to the 74-49 victory.

The Vikings shot an efficient 40.8% (31-of-76) from the field and held a slight edge in in rebounds 48-47. Both teams struggled with turnovers as AMC committed 28 missteps compared to 21 for the visitors.

Salem was paced by Carter's 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Ashley White added 9 points and 6 steals.

Anna Maia will next be in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Becker College at 2:00pm.