Salem, Mass. -- Drew Healy (Lowell, MA) scored 12 points and added five rebounds as Salem State erased an eight-point halftime deficit to knock off visiting Worcester State 54-49 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State improves to 11-10 and 3-5 in the MASCAC while the Lancers slide to 5-16, and 2-6 in conference.

Healy came off the bench and connected on 6-of-7 shots and contributed heavily during the stretch to help Salem State end a three game-skid. Paul Brooks (Arlington, MA) led Worcester State with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Trailing 11-6, Brooks and Manny Cabral (Roslindale, MA) each hit three-pointers to spur a 9-0 Lancers' run as the visitors took advantage of cold-shooting by Salem State and built a 15-11 lead. Salem State recovered, and a three-pointer by Jon Perez (Weymouth, MA) put the Vikings behind by just one 23-22 with 4:47 remaining in the half. Salem State stayed close with their defense, forcing nine first half turnovers, which they converted into 12 points. However, the Lancers went to work inside, scoring 20 points in the paint, and three consecutive layups off two forced turnovers helped Worcester State build a 33-25 advantage at the half. Brooks led all scorers in the period with eight points while Healy added six first-half points off the bench for the Vikings.

A Brendan Rios (Easthampton, MA) three pushed Worcester State's lead to 40-31 in the early stages of the second half. However, a layup by Hamed Akanni (Fitchburg, MA) and a three-pointer by Bryan Ortiz (Salem, MA) quickly cut the deficit to just four, 42-38 at the 10:00 minute mark. Worcester State managed to stave off the comeback bid, and a Ryan DiBernardo (Springfield, MA) three-pointer kept the Lancers in front 49-46.

Healy and Akanni combined for back-to-back buckets to help Salem State grab their first lead of the second half, 50-49 with just over three minutes remaining. Worcester State had their chances, but three straight possessions came up empty and Healy came up big with a huge offensive rebound and put-back that gave the Vikings some breathing room at 52-49 with thirty five seconds remaining. The Lancers had another missed opportunity and Anthony Hodges (Worcester, MA) hit two free throws late to ice the 54-49 victory.

Akanni finished with 11 points and six boards for Salem State, while Charles Gunter (Boston, MA) had 10 points for the Lancers. Worcester State after shooting 14-for-29 (48.3%) in the first half slumped to 6-for-31 (19.4%) in the second. Salem State shot 22-of-48 (45.8%) for the game.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, February 10. Salem State hosts Westfield State at 7:30 PM while Worcester State entertains the Bears of Bridgewater State t Assumption College beginning at 8:00 PM.