Murray collects double double but Trailblazers fall to Vikings 81-62

North Adams, MA- Salem State's Shaquan Murray scored 18 points while teammate Marcus Faison notched a double double as the Vikings defeated the MCLA Trailblazers 81-62 in MASCAC this afternoon in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  Faison ended with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

The Vikings (14-8 overall) improve to 8-1 in the MASCAC while MCLA (2-18 overall) is still in search of their first win, drops to 0-9.

The opening half saw MCLA jump out to an early 6-0 advantage as the Trailblazers took advantage of a sluggish start by the Vikings.  SSU would go to their bench to get going.  Sean Bryan made a pair of FT's and Cornelius Matthews converted a three point play to get the Vikings some momentum.  Mathews made another jumper to give SSU their first lead at 9-8 early on and they wouldn't trail the rest of the way.  When Bryan connected in the final seconds of the half, the Vikings took a 44-30 lead into the locker rooms.

Faison had 12 points and 7 rebounds after the troubled start to lead all scorers in the first half of play.  MCLA shot just 37% and was hampered by 11 turnovers in the opening stanza.

Salem State quickly extended the lead and with 11:07 left to play they led 65-41 and were on their way.  MCLA would cut the deficit to 14 but couldn't get no closer as the Vikings kept them at bay.

Faison was 6-14 from the floor for his 16 points for SSU.  Murray was just 6-17 from the floor for his game high of 18.  Sean Bryan and Tyreik McCauley each ended with 10 points in the win.  The Vikings shot 43% in the win and forced 19 Trailblazer turnovers.

For MCLA, they were led by Keiland Cross' team high 18 points, including 12 in the second half of play.  Joe Murray notched a double double of his own with 17 points and 12 boards, while Joe Wiggins added 12 points for the Trailblazers.

MCLA is back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Framingham State.