Salem State Comes from Behind to Defeat Women's Basketball, 83-72

Salem, Mass. - Ashley White (Salem, Mass.) scored 18 of her game-high 25 points in the second half as Salem State came back from a double-digit deficit to outlast Framingham State 83-72 night at the O'Keefe Center in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's match up.

The Vikings won their second straight following a six game losing streak, and improved to 10-12 on the season and 3-6 in MASCAC play, while the Rams fell to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in the conference.

After a first half which saw six ties in the first 15 minutes, Framingham State used a 14-0 run to take a commanding 40-27 lead. Kristen Hoffman (Foxboro, Mass.) and Margo McCarthy (Southampton, Mass.) had five points apiece in the spurt, which culminated when Madeleine Park (Blue Hill, ME) drilled a three. Ginny Fleming (Peabody, Mass.) scored a pair of buckets in the final 19 seconds of the half to quell the momentum, and the Rams led 40-32 at the break.

It took just four minutes for the Vikings to tie the game again after intermission, as White scored 12 of the Vikings first 14 points. She had three layups and a three-pointer, and when she buried her second trey of the half, SSU had knotted the game at 46.

McCarthy hit a three for the Rams to regain the advantage (49-46) and the momentum temporarily, but Bridget Dullea (Peabody, Mass.) scored three straight hoops to give the Vikings a lead they would not relinquish. White, Sandra Lanier (Groton, Mass.), Fleming and Lara Bruni (Gloucester, Mass.) all scored key baskets as Salem State led 63-53 with 10 minutes remaining. 

The Rams got as close as seven on two occasions, the last coming on a jumper by Kerry Coyne (North Attleboro, Mass.) with 1:49 remaining, but Dullea and Fleming combined to go 6-6 from the free throw line down the stretch, and the Vikings cruised to victory. 

White was 11-of-15 from the floor and made 3-of-5 from downtown. She also added five assists and four steals in 34 minutes. Fleming recorded a double double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Dullea and Rachael Carter (Merrimack, NH) each added 12 points apiece. 

The Rams were led by Kia Minor (Edgartown, Mass.) who had 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Hoffman added 15 points and eight steals, while Park chipped in 15 points. 

The Vikings return to the hardwood Saturday afternoon when they visit Fitchburg State at 1 p.m. The Rams host MCLA on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Release courtesy of SSU Sports Information.