SALEM, Mass.   –  Junior Shaquan Murray (Boston, Mass./New Mission) and senior Marcus Faison (Cambridge, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) each scored 16 points to lead five players in double figures as the Salem State University Vikings defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 91-60 in the final game of the Salem State Holiday Classic. 

With the win, Salem State earned its second straight win to even its record to 6-6.  Southern Maine drops its third straight game and stands at 4-7 on the season.

Murray was 7-for-10 from the field, while Faison was 8-for-13 from the field and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to earn a double-double for Salem State.  Sophomore Alexander Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) was 4-for-6 from three-point territory to toss in 14 points, adding four assists, while Sophomore Tyreik McCauley (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) and freshman Sean Bryan (Lowell, Mass.) scored 11 and 10 points respectively. 

Southern Maine seniors Zach Leal (York, Maine) and Jacob Littlefield (Mechanic Falls, Maine/Poland Regional) each scored 13 points to pace the Huskies.  Leal had seven rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and a steal, while Littlefield dished out a career-best six assists.

Led by 14 first half points from Murray, Salem State jumped out to a 44-22 lead at the half.  The Vikings shot an outstanding 54.3 percent (19-for-35) from the field, and 6-for-12 from three-point range.  Murray, Santos and McCauley each had two three-pointers in the opening stanza.  Conversely, the Huskies struggle to hit its shots shooting just 10-for-30 from the floor (33.3 percent). 

The Huskies fared better in the second half shooting just under 50 percent (15-for-31), but the Vikings remained equally as hot from the floor shooting 19-for-33 (57.5 percent) to outscore USM 47-for-38 in the second half.  Santos had eight of his 14 in the second half for Salem State, while Littlefield had nine points for USM. 

Southern Maine returns to action on Wednesday (4:00 p.m.) when it travels to Maine Maritime for a non-conference game.  Salem State travels to Framingham State on Wednesday (6:00 p.m.) in a  MASCAC contest.

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