Worcester, MA --- Salem State senior Justin Nieves (Lawrence, MA) poured in 22 points and sophomore Bryan Ortiz (Salem, MA) chipped in with 19 points and six rebounds as they both helped pace Salem State to a 78-74 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's basketball action at the Lancer Gymnasium.
The Vikings (12-6, 4-2 MASCAC) were also led by junior Andrew White (Medford, MA) who finished with 11 points and six swipes and senior Tavone Wynder (Boston, MA/Newton South) added a team-high eight boards to go with seven points.
Senior Monte Goodwin (Boston, MA/Belmont) led four Blue and Gold players in double-figure scoring with a squad-best 18 points on an 8-for-13 effort from the floor with six caroms.
Fourth-year Kyle Ferreira (Westport, MA) also added 16 points and seven rebounds while junior Robert Hunter (St. Louis, MO) pitched in with 15 points and 14 boards.
Junior Dane Jobst (Athol, MA) did a little of everything with 15 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and four helpers.
As the Lancers (9-8, 3-3 MASCAC) nursed the 30-16 edge with 6:15 remaining in the opening stanza, the Vikings reeled off a 16-2 run capped off by a Nieves four-point play which helped the visitors trail by one with 1:48 left (33-31). Nieves netted 12 of SSU's 16 points in the outburst.
But Ferreira canned a pair of free throws moments later as the hosts led 35-32 at the intermission.
Worcester State doubled up their opponents with a 6-3 spurt to open the second period for the 41-35 edge 4½ minutes into the frame, but the Vikings refused to yield setting up a thrilling run that saw eight lead changes and four ties over the next 7:04 of game play.
The Blue and Gold opened up a five-point margin (58-53), but saw their advantage slip away as Salem State went on a 10-2 surge that was finished off with a triple by sophomore Hanell Valez (Woburn, MA) with 3:54 left.
With the Vikings on top 74-67 at the 2:00 mark, Goodwin converted consecutive lay-ups to help the hosts trail by three with 40 ticks remaining. However, Salem State picked up a key offensive foul call that swung the pendulum in their favor.
Neives notched a lay-up and White canned a pair of free throws in the final minute to help seal up the win for the visitors, who move into a tie with Westfield State for second in the MASCAC standings.
Worcester State actually outshot the Vikings for the contest with a final tally of 43 percent from the floor (29-for-48), but Salem State made nearly half their shots in the second period (47 percent – 17-for-36).
SSU also shot poorly from the line (10-for-17 – 59 percent) and sank eight of their 29 bids from downtown (28 percent).
The Lancers, who are third in New England and 25th in the NCAA Division III in rebounding margin (7.6), led in the carom department, 49-39, points in the paint (46-36) and they used a 16-14 edge on the offensive glass to dominate their second chance scoring opportunities (20-7).
Salem State used 14 steals to create 22 miscues and they held a 26-17 margin in points off turnovers. The visitors also outscored their opponents 46-39 in the second half and led in fast-break points (26-17) and bench scoring (15-8).
Both teams return to action with MASCAC contests on Saturday afternoon. The Blue and Gold travel to Framingham State for a 5:30 PM affair and Salem State heads to Westfield State with a tip-off slated for 3 o'clock.