SALEM. Mass. - The Worcester State University men's basketball team won its fourth consecutive contest on Saturday afternoon, defeating Salem State University 80-67 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Twohig Gymnasium.

With the win, Worcester State improves to 7-8 overall on the season, and stays perfect in the MASCAC at 3-0. Salem State drops to 1-15 and 0-4 in league play.

Worcester State opened the contest on a 10-2 run over the game's first three minutes, but the Vikings battled back late in the half, briefly taking a lead as large as five at 30-25 with just over three and a half minutes until the half. Moments later however, sophomore Corey Olivier (Maynard, Mass.) sent the game to the half tied at 32-32 by hitting a jumper for the visitors with one second remaining.

Senior Cal Howes (Maynard, Mass.) and junior Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) each hit threes in the opening two minutes of the second half, and the Lancers would go wire-to-wire in the period on its way to the victory. 

Senior Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) poured in a game-high 31 points for the visiting Lancers, shooting 11-for-16 from the field. Cardoso finished with 23 points, while senior Erik Bjorn nabbed 14 rebounds to lift the Lancers over Salem State.

Worcester State got the job done from the free throw line in the win, converting each of its 19 attempts from the charity stripe.

Next up for Worcester State, the Lancers will host MCLA on Wednesday evening at John P. Brissette Court.

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