WESTFIELD, Mass – Westfield State senior guard Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) scored a game-high 25 points and sunk her 300th career three pointer en route to a 105-52 blowout win over Salem State on a Saturday afternoon from the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass.
Westfield State gets back in the win column and stands at 12-10 on the season with a record of 6-3 in conference play. Salem State drops to 3-16 overall, and 1-7 in the MASCAC.
Gray led the Owls with 25 points on 5-10 shooting from three-point range, and her second made three was the most significant of the bunch as she surpassed the 300-career three's mark. Jordan Grant (Gray, ME) was a problem on the glass as she grabbed eight offensive rebounds to go along with 16 points. Paris Wilkey (Lynn, Mass.) provided a spark off the bench for the Owls, scoring 12 points with four steals in her first game back from injury.
While the story of the game was Gray's achievement, the Owl's defense and ball movement were the keys to victory. Westfield turned the Vikings over 31 times and scored 45 points off of those turnovers. Offensively, the Owls had 31 assists on 41 made baskets, including a team-high eight assists from Jordyn Lummus (Pittsfield, Mass.). The Owls bench was extremely effective as well, as they managed to outscored Salem State 53-11.
Westfield grabbed a 31-10 lead in the first quarter behind seven points from Gray. Salem State turned it over 13 times in the frame and had their lowest scoring quarter of the game. Alyssa Genness (Belgrade, ME) led the way for the Vikings in the second quarter, scoring nine of the teams 18 points. The Owls held a 53-28 lead heading into halftime.
Salem State was cold from three, making zero of their nine attempts through three quarters. Westfield on the other hand made four threes, including two from Gray to take a commanding 40-point lead.
Irianis Delgado (Lynn, Mass.) had a double-double for the Vikings with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Alyssa Genness added 12 points and five rebounds. Katie Wallace (Peabody, Mass.) was productive with seven points, five assists and 11 rebounds.
Westfield State has four days off before traveling to Worcester State for a matchup with the Lancers at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday the 9th. Salem State is on the road again to take on Fitchburg State at 6:00 P.M. on February 7th.
Story written by Nate Moskowtiz - Westfield State Sports Information Intern