SALEM - Salem State's Tristian Shannon (Andover, MA) posted a double-double with a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead an 81-68 Viking victory over the No. 4 seed Westfield State Owls in the semifinals of the MASCAC tournament at James Twohig Gymnasium on Thursday, Feb. 24. It was 16th consecutive win for the Vikings who improve to 20-6.

The No.1 seed Vikings will now match-up against No. 3 Bridgewater State at home Saturday at 2 p.m for the MASCAC championship. Bridgewater held on to defeat No. 2 seed MCLA in North Adams, 88-80. The winner will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament.

Westfield State finished the 2011 season with a 12-15 record.

The Vikings and Owls traded baskets for most of the first half. Salem State held a 17-16 lead with 7:27 to go, but finished the half on a tear, outscoring Westfield State 20-8. Shannon sparked the run with a pair of three-pointers to open up a 37-24 Viking lead at the intermission.

The Owls, who only sat two of their starters for a combined six minutes in the opening period, shot 36.7% from the field compared to 50% by the 10-man rotation Vikings.

Salem State never looked back in the second half as its  lead never dropped to fewer than 10 points. MASCAC player of the year Brian Clark (Deerfield, MA) hit a jumper to put the Vikings ahead by 19 points, 63-44, with just over eight minutes to go, as Salem State cruised to a postseason victory.

Clark finished with 14 points and had 8 rebounds for the Vikings. Nick Linear (Salem, MA) played an outstanding game off the bench. The senior shot 5-for-6 from the field for 13 points in just 13 minutes of action.

Sophomore guard Lee Vazquez (Woonsocket, RI) led the Owls with 17 points and three assists. Sophomore center Matt Devine (Pembroke, MA) added 16 points and seven rebounds while. Jesse Benoit (Granby, MA) grabbed 10 boards and scored eight points for Westfield State.

Salem State shot 58% (14-24) in the second half and held the Owls to 40% (27-67) shooting for the game as the Vikings swept all three matchups from Westfield State this year.