Women’s Basketball Slips Past Salem State, 71-54

BOSTON – Suffolk women's basketball picked up its first win of the 2022-23 campaign as it defeated Salem State, 71-54, Tuesday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 71 | Salem State 54
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-1) | Salem State (0-3) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
After four lead exchanges, Suffolk surged ahead 14-8. The rally featured three consecutive hoops, a trey from Maddie Stewart and back-to-back lay-ups from Amanda DeAngelis that gave the Rams the advantage with just under four minutes remaining in the first frame.

Out of a Salem State timeout, the blue-and-gold continued to pour in the points, as it outscored the visitors 13-6 over the final 3:30 minutes to take a 27-14 cushion into the second stanza. 

Scoring was limited on either side in the second as the playing field leveled off. Suffolk managed to keep its upper hand at half, 40-23. 

The teams nearly went hoop-for-hoop throughout the third quarter. Thankfully, Suffolk's early edge paid off and kept the host in front, 56-36 at the end of 30 minutes. 

Suffolk was limited to just one hoop, Colby Casey's first collegiate bucket, in the first 5:28. The scoring draught allowed the Vikings to pull back within 13, 58-45 with 4:32 remaining in the fourth. 

Ed Leyden too a timeout to slow Salem State down. Initially the break did not help as the visitors sliced the gap to single digits twice, with the last coming at 60-52 with 3:25 left on the clock. 

The Rams utilized their post players and a full-court press to rebuild its double-digit distance and preserve the win.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• DeAngelis paced Suffolk offensively and defensively with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double. The junior added two blocks, two steals and one helper. 
• Colby Guinta also produced double figures in scoring with 15 points behind a 6-for-12 showing from the field and 3-for-7 effort from downtown. The freshman's stat line feature six caroms, three takeaways and two dimes. 
• Stewart had a well-rounded night with eight points, seven boards and three handouts. 
• Madi Mahoney recorded seen points, five rebounds and three assists. 
• Suffolk shot 40.3 percent (25-62) from the field, 50.0 percent (8-16) from 3-point land and 61.9 percent (13-21) at the line. 
• Salem State, who shot just 27.4 percent on the night, was led by a 24-point, seven-rebound performance from Irianis Delgado. 
• The blue-and-gold won the battle on the glass, 53-43. 
• The Rams capitalized on the Vikings 23 turnovers, converting them into 31 points.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk defeated Salem State for the second time in as many meetings. 
• The Rams leveled the all-time series with the Vikings at 2-2. 
• Both of the blue-and-gold victories over SSU have come on November 15. The last time Suffolk defeated Salem was Nov. 15, 2021, 81-65. 
• Suffolk entertained the Vikings in Boston for the first time in program history. 
• The Rams are unbeaten at home against Salem State, 1-0. 
• Both of Suffolk's victories over Salem State have come via identical 17-point margins. 
• DeAngelis had her second straight double-double, fifth of her collegiate career. 
• Guinta set new career highs in points (15), rebounds (6), field goals made and taken (6-12), 3-point field goals made and attempted (3-7), assists (2) and steals (3). 
• Katie Kirsch met a personal-best three field goals made and set a new personal-high in assists (3), steals (3) and blocks (1). 
• Arlenis Veloz matched a career-high six boards and set a personal-best in blocks (2), assists (1) and takeaways (1). 
• Stewart set a personal-best in triples made (2) and assists (7) and matched a career-high seven boards. 
• Mia Fantauzzi notched a career-high in field goals made (2), 3-point field goals made (2), points (8) and blocks (1). 
• With a 2-for-2 showing tonight, Fantauzzi remains perfect from the charity stripe in her collegiate career (4-4). 
• Mahony sunk her first trey as a Ram and logged a career-high in points (7), boards (5), assists (3) and free throws made (4). 
• Casey tallied a career-high in points (2), boards (1) and field goals made (1). 
• Kendall Jacques had the first assist her collegiate career, matched a career-high in steals (1) and set a personal-best in swats (1). 

POST-GAME PIC
  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will be tested on the road for the first time this season Thursday, Nov. 14 when it makes the short walk across the Boston Commons to Emerson. Tip-off between the Rams and Lions is scheduled for 7 p.m.