Salem, Mass. -- Hamed Akanni (Fitchburg, MA), Bryan Ortiz (Salem, MA), and Nicholas Grassa (Lynn, MA) all scored 13 points as the Vikings of Salem State easily defeated their Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent, the Rams of Framingham State University, 85-54 on Tuesday evening. Salem State tallied their 10th win of the season, against seven losses and sit with a 2-2 record in MASCAC play. The Rams slide to 5-11 on the year and drop to 0-5 in conference.

The Vikings' offense jumped out to an early 6-0 run led by seniors Akanni, and Ortiz, who combined for 15 points in the first half. Salem State's four guard rotation of Ortiz, Grassa, Anthony Hodges (Worcester, MA) and freshman Shaquan Murray (Boston, MA) were extremely efficient, limiting themselves to just four turnovers while dishing out eight assists in the half. The Rams struggled to match up with the Vikings as Salem State found success from beyond the arc as well as in the paint. Jon Perez (Weymouth, MA) found his rhythm immediately as he knocked down three of four three-point attempts to total nine points in the half. Grassa sparked an impressive 20-0 run that drained the clock to the five-minute mark, giving the Vikings a 39-15 advantage. Tony Alexandre (Hyde Park, MA) led the Rams with eight points, but his team would shoot a dire 38% from the field while Salem State shot a remarkable 67%. Two made free throws by Hodges just before the half gave the Vikings their largest lead of the contest at 27 points. Salem State entered the halftime atop 51-24.

The Vikings reign continued in the second half as they opened up the half on a 6-0 run led by Grassa, who boosted the Vikings' lead to 59-24 with a deep trey ball. Salem State's big men were aggressive on the offensive glass as they picked up eight points off second chances and also outrebounded Framingham State 35-27, a contributing factor to the Vikings' success in the offensive end. Salem State maintained a 30-point margin for the remainder of the half allowing them to rout the Rams 85-54. Alexandre finished a powerful dunk off a fast break opportunity that cut the deficit to 31, the closest they would come to Salem State the rest of the night.

Alexandre finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while Daniel Gould (Quincy, MA) added 11 points on 3-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Salem State resumes action when they host fellow MASCAC opponent Bridgewater State University who defeated the Vikings' last year in the MASCAC championship game. The game is scheduled for January 24th at 3:00 p.m. The Rams will face-off against Fisher College on January 24th at 3:00 p.m. as well.