Hosting Salem State in their 2018-19 home-opener at the Bennett Athletic Center tonight, the Fighting Scots cruised to an eventual 98-81 victory over the visitors to improve to 3-1 on the season. 

Jake Haar shined, scoring 28 points including six three's, Eric Demers netted 26, and Garrisson Duvivier recorded 16 points as well as 10 boards and seven assists for the Scots.

For the Vikings, Sean Bryan (Jr./Lowell, Mass.) had a solid night scoring 24 points, Hakeem Animashaun (Jr./Dedham, Mass.) and Tyreik McCauley (Sr./Worcester, Mass.) added 18 and 17 points respectively. 

The Scots take a break from non-league action as they travel to Wentworth on November 28 to open Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play while Salem State looks to bounce back as they host Bates on Sunday for a 1 p.m. tip-off.

How It Happened:

• The Scots came out of the gates firing, draining three three-pointers to jump ahead 9-2. McCauley scored six of the next eight points for the Vikings bringing the score to 13-15 in favor of the home team.
• A ten-point run midway through the first stretched the lead to eleven as Gordon took the 29-18 advantage. Salem found some life after McCauley threw down a dunk to bring his team within six. Not to be outdone, Duvivier showed McCauley who was boss as the senior threw down a posterizing dunk to bring the crowd to its feet. 
• Animashaun scored six points in the final two minutes to trail the Scots 41-46 going into the half.
• A minute and a half into the final frame, Bryan and McCauley teamed up to trail the Scots by one. Both teams traded baskets for the majority of the second half, with Gordon holding the slight lead before Haar drilled a three to extend the lead to nine with seven minutes to play.
• Gordon would prove to be too much for the Vikings as the Scots took control holding a double-digit lead for the final two minutes en route to an eventual 17-point victory.

Beyond The Box Score:

• Jake Haar's 28-points is a career high for the senior.
• Tonight's win marked the first time since the 2012-2013 that the Scots beat the Vikings.
• Said Head Coach Tod Murphy: "Great win tonight!!!  Whenever we can beat a North Shore rival, it's a good night. We hit some big shots when we needed them, and we made the plays down the stretch at both ends of the floor."