Women's Basketball coughs up fourth quarter lead in 72-61 loss at Salem State

Salem, MA- The Salem State women's basketball team used a 15-0 spurt in the fourth quarter to turn around a five point deficit and they would go on to defeat the MCLA Trailblazers 72-61 in MASCAC action.  With the win, the Vikings avenged an early season loss to MCLA as they are now 7-15 (3-6 MASCAC) overall.  MCLA drops to 11-10 overall and also stand at 3-6 in conference play.

Kaitlin Byran scored a game high 28 points after shooting 9-19 from the floor.  That included a 4-10 showing from beyond the arc.  She also helped the Vikings hold a commanding edge off the glass by pulling down 9 caroms.  Melissa Saad added 16 points and 9 rebounds for the Vikings while Tahira Peralta chipped in with 12.  

With 8:16 remaining to play, MCLA's Kayla Hotaling knocked down a jumper to make it 56-51.  That was when the Vikings made their decisive run over the next five minutes.  Byran started it with a pair of layups and after a few defensive stops, Salem's Katrina Joubert converted a three point play to give the Vikings the lead at 58-56 with 5:49 left to play.

After MCLA came up empty, Saad converted her own three point play pushing the lead out to five points.  Peralta converted in the paint and when Byran connected from deep with 3:15 left, the Vikings held a 66-56 lead over the Trailblazers.  

Karina Mattera's triple brought the visitors back within seven, but they would get no closer the rest of the way as they were forced to foul.  The Vikings would convert and were able to hold MCLA at bay.

Mattera paced MCLA with a team best 20 point effort on 7-14 shooting.  Courtney Pingelski scored 13 of her 18 points in the opening half for the Trailblazers.  She nailed four three pointers on the afternoon.  Mckenzie Robinson collected 6 assists while Mattera added 6 of her own.  MCLA shot 37% from the floor in the loss.  MCLA committed 19 turnovers in defeat.

Salem State overcame 20 turnovers of their own and they shot 38% from the floor.  They were helped by collecting 20 offensive rebounds.

MCLA will be back at home on Wednesday when they host Framingham State at 5:30.