SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State College received a game-high 25 points from junior center Dylan Holmes (Groton,MA), including his 1,000th career point, en route to an 88-80 win over the Bridgewater State Bears in a MASCAC men's basketball contest played this evening at James Twohig Gymnasium.
Holmes, who was also the top rebounder in the game with 13, notched his milestone basket off a steal with just 53 seconds remaining in the game as it put the finishing touches on the Vikings win.
The Vikings, who have won three straight and six of their last seven, also received 17 points from senior guard Marquis Victor (Lawrence, MA), 11 points from junior guard Stevie Celestin (Somerville, MA) and 10 points from senior guard Alex Finn (Ashby, MA).
Salem (18-6, 8-3 MASCAC) led 45-38 at the half and got up by as many as 16 points midway through the second half. Down 78-67 with just under seven minutes remaining in the game, Bridgewater went on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to just four points (80-76) with 3 1/2 minutes to go.
Trailing 82-79 the Bears had a chance to cut the deficit to one point, but converted on just one of two free throws to close the gap to 82-80 with 1:53 remaining. After Salem missed the back end of a two shot foul, Bridgewater had another chance to pull to within one on a 3-on-1 break, but missed a layup. BSC would not score again the rest of the way.
BSC junior forward Roland Millien (Stoughton, MA) scored a team-high 23 points, followed by freshman guard Judah Jackson (Everett, MA) with 14 and sophomore center Jim Torney (Braintree, MA) with 12. Torney and Millien each recorded a team-high 10 boards as they both finished with double-doubles. Sophomore guard Matt McLaughlin (Rochester, MA) led all players with 8 assists.
SSC remains in a first place tie with Fitchburg State entering the final weekend of the regular season. The Vikings, who have defeated Fitchburg twice this season, conclude their regular season schedule Saturday at Worcester State (4:00 pm). Bridgewater (11-12, 5-6 MASCAC) will host Fitchburg on Saturday at 3.