Gulls unable to get by Salem State in 2012 opener

BEVERLY, Mass. – After not playing a game in 23 days, the Endicott women's basketball team was unable to hold an early lead and fell to visiting Salem State University 68-60 on Thursday as both teams began their 2012 schedule at MacDonald Gymnasium. The Gulls (4-5) got 19 points from sophomore Jennifer White (Lisbon, N.H.) but couldn't stop the Viking's hot shooting.

Salem State (4-8) shot almost 48 percent from the three-point line, including a 6-11 showing in the second half to emerge victorious in a game that was knotted at 33 at the break.

White had an impressive shooting night herself, going 4-6 from behind the arc and shooting 6-10 from the field. She was joined in double-digit scoring by Samantha Crough (Cohasset, Mass.), who poured in 12 points and led the team with 9 boards. Crough also had a strong defensive night under the basket, collecting five blocks.

White and sophomore forward Jordan Ferland (Charlestown, N.H.) each grabbed 8 caroms, helping the Gulls to a 48-43 advantage in rebounds, while Ferland also had two blocks of her own.

After weathering an early storm, Endicott used a 12-1 run to open up their biggest lead of the game, an 11 point advantage at 18-7 eight minutes into the first half. Salem State went on a run of their own, helped by six points down the stretch from Bridget Dullea (Peabody, Mass.). The speedy junior guard helped the Vikings' transition game and Salem State opened up a five point lead before a three-pointer by Endicott senior Nicole Heffernan (Londonderry, N.H.) evened up the score just before the half. Heffernan had eight points and two assists while also picking off a pass for the Gulls.

The second half opened quietly, as a Ferland layup was the only scoring through the first 4:15 of the stanza. The teams then played back and forth basketball until two free-throw shots and a three-pointer from senior captain Tara Driscoll (Swampscott, Mass.) gave Salem State a seven point lead with four minutes left to play. The visitors would not relinquish their advantage and a three-pointer by Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H.) with under a minute to play sealed the victory for the Vikings.

Dullea, Barry and Driscoll provided all of the outside shooting for the Vikings. Dullea, who led the visitors with 17 points and Barry, each hit from outside three times, while Driscoll connected on four shots from behind the arc, as the three collectively went 10-18.  Driscoll finished the game with 16 points to go with a pair of assists while Barry added 13 points off the bench.

Endicott got six points, six rebounds and two steals from Jen McBrien (Medfield, Mass.) and a combined seven points and five rebounds and three assists from Kayleen Whall (Foxboro, Mass.) and Katelyn Wright (Sudbury, Mass.) off their bench.

Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) led the Vikings with 11 rebounds, while also adding pairs of assists and blocks and one steal.

Endicott will look to rebound on Saturday afternoon when they return to their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) schedule. The Gulls will travel to Springfield for a 1:00 meeting with Western New England. Salem State opens up their MASCAC schedule with a road game at Westfield State at the same time.