SALEM, Mass. - Marcus Faison (Cambridge, Mass.) led Salem State with 27 points and 14 rebounds and Shaquan Murray (Boston, Mass.) finished with 22 points on 50% (9-18) shooting as Salem State defeated Worcester State 94-83 on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings improve to 8-7 and remain unbeaten in the MASCAC at 2-0 while the Lancers slide to 9-6, and 1-1 in conference.

Salem State and Worcester State played a tightly contested contest over the first 20 minutes of the game. Faison and Murray combined for 30 first-half points as Salem State took a 52-48 lead into halftime. The Lancers took an early 8-7 lead after a three from Alex Santos (Lawrence, Mass.). Salem State, led by Faison's 18 first half points opened up an eight-point margin following a free throw byDrew Healy (Lowell, Mass.). Worcester State battled back, outscoring the Vikings 9-2 during a two-minute stretch to cut the deficit to 41-40 with 4:38 remaining. Bilal Shakir (Worcester, Mass.) hit back-to-back three pointers during the spurt as Salem State converted just one field goal attempt. Ryan DiBerardo (Springfield, Mass.) knotted the game at 41-41 before Faison hit back-to-back layups to give the Vikings a four-point lead. A Murray three-pointer closed out the half with the Vikings leading 52-48. Santos and Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) each had 11 first half points for Worcester State, which shot 51.4% (18-38) from the field.

The Lancers opened up a six-point lead to begin the second half, outscoring Salem State 10-3 following a basket by Santos. However, Salem State quickly erased the deficit with a six-point bulge with baskets by Zach Hurynowicz (Burlington, Mass.), Faison and Murray. A bucket by Brooks provided the tenth tie of the game, 65-65 with 13:56 remaining. The Lancers then struggled from the field, shooting just 32.4% (12-37) from the field as Salem State went on an 11-0 run as Worcester State went 0-9. DiBernardo stopped the bleeding with five straight points, and a Brooks layup put the Lancers down by just four, 76-72. However,Faison and Shyeim Davis (Boston, Mass.) combined for eight points as Salem State regained control and took an 86-77 lead with 3:33 remaining. The Lancers could not muster another run as Salem State held on for a 94-83 win.

Salem State's Healy also contributed a double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks for the Vikings while Davis added 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench. 

Santos led Worcester State with 21 points, while DiBernardo added 15. Shakir and Brooks both tallied 14 points with Brooks contributing 13 rebounds for the Lancers. 

Salem State goes to MCLA on Wednesday at 7:30 PM for their next start. Worcester State entertains Fitchburg State at Clark next Saturday at 12:00 PM. 

Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information