WENHAM, Mass.—A second-half run led by senior guard Rachael Carter (Merrimack, N.H.) gave visiting Salem State the spurt it needed to overcome an early deficit against the Fighting Scots. Carter scored a game-high 21 points, including 14 in the second half to aid in the victory over host Gordon at the Bennett Center, 63-53.
Gordon came out of the gate as the stronger team and they quickly found themselves in a possession of a 9-1 lead when Sophie Linnell (Richmond, Va.) put home a jumper just five minutes in. The Fighting Scots eventually extended its lead to 11 after Brooke Kratche (Chagrin Fall, Ohio) hit a jumper at the free-throw line, making it 15-4 in favor of Gordon.
The Vikings' kicked off a run of their own on the next possession when Gabriela Feraro (Douglas, Mass.) drained a shot from downtown to cut Gordon's lead to single-digits. From there, Salem State methodically chipped away at the disadvantage over the final 12 minutes of the first half and went into halftime only down three points, 27-24.
Gordon was able to limit its turnovers in the first period and had an impressive 7 to 4 assist-to-turnover margin, while forcing five turnovers of the Vikings. Kristen Smith (Littleton, Mass.) led the way for the Fighting Scots with seven first-half points, three rebounds and a block. Gordon also outrebounded their rivals in the opening half with a 23-19 advantage.
Salem State (2-2) dominated the first 10 minutes of the second half. After struggling from the field in the first, the Vikings seemed to knock down every open jumper to begin the half on a 22-4 run. The three-ball was kind to the Vikings during their long run, making four of their first six attempts of the second half to put the Scots in a deep hole. Carter and Feraro each hit two triples in the period.
The Fighting Scots closed the gap to as little as eight points in the waning minutes, but the Vikings were able to knock down free throws down the stretch to clinch a 10-point victory.
Carter's 21 points and 13 rebounds was a major factor for the Vikings' success. The senior also had team-high marks with four assists and four steals in 36 minutes. Feraro, Maggie Reilly (Worcester, Mass.) and Malissa Saad (Worcester, Mass.) all scored in double-digits for Salem State. Saad contributed seven rebounds and a block.
Smith had a career-high 12 points to lead Gordon's scoring attack , while also coming up with the Scots' only block of the evening. Kratche finished with 10 points and eight boards. Olivia Vetere (Mahopac, N.Y.) was the only other Gordon player in double-digit scoring with 10 points. Mariel Barner had a strong game at the point for the Scots with six assists.
The Fighting Scots (2-3) are off until after Thanksgiving break when they travel across town for the first Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup of the year at Endicott on December 3.
