Lambert is lone Panther to score in double figures

              SALEM, Mass. – Salem State University exploded with a 26-5 burst midway through the first half Thursday evening and the Vikings cruised the rest of the way in a dominating 82-56 victory over Plymouth State University in non-conference men's basketball at James Twohig Gymnasium.

              The Vikings never trailed and out-rebounded the Panthers 47-33. SSU improves to 2-1 on the season, while PSU fall to 3-2. Senior Ryan Lambert (Derry, N.H.) was Plymouth State's only double-figure scorer, as he went for a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.

              Full-court pressure and effective transition basketball helped the Vikings jump out to an early 8-2 lead. Plymouth State countered to cut the deficit to 12-11 and again to 19-18 with just over 10 minutes remaining, at which point SSU went on its decisive run.

              Brian Clark (Deerfield, Mass.) started things with a layup, followed by two Nick Linear (Salem, Mass.) hoops. Tavone Wynder (Boston, MA) buried a three and Nate Simpson (Lowell, Mass.) powered in a pair of buckets plus two free throws, and when the smoke had cleared, Salem State led 45-23. The Vikings entered the halftime locker room ahead 49-30, and increased their lead to as many 27 in the second half.

              Plymouth State returns home for the first home game of the season and the Little East Conference debut Saturday at Foley Gymnasium against the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (3:00 p.m.)  Salem State returns to action Saturday when it visits Tufts in the first round of the New England Classic. 

 (Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information) 

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