Salem, MA --- Sean Doncaster (Medford, MA) scored a career-high 29 points as WPI bested Salem State 87-62 on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference men's basketball matchup at Twohig Gymnasium.

Jamani Spencer (Closter, NJ) added 13 points and six assists for the Engineers, who improve to 7-2 on the season. Marcus Faison(Cambridge, MA) netted 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for the Vikings, who lost their fifth straight and now stand at 4-6. 

Doncaster and Spencer combined for 25 first half points as WPI built a 45-33 lead before the break. The Engineers, who shot 55.6% (20-36) from the field, jumped out to a 21-8 lead following a three-pointer by Lou Doherty (Arlington, MA). Salem State stayed within striking distance thanks to key three pointers from Tyreik McCauley (Worcester, MA) and Shyheim Davis-Smith (Boston, MA), who had six opening half points. After allowing the lea d to dip to five points, WPI closed the half with a 7-0 run to claim a 45-33 lead at the break. The Engineers scored 28 points in the paint while shooting 50% (5-10) from three-point range, Faison had nine points and five rebounds for the Vikings, who shot 44.4% (12-27) from the field, but hit just three, three-pointers on eight attempts.

WPI maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half as Doncaster scored 15 points, going 8-for-8 from the free throw line. A Shaquan Murray (Boston, MA) three-pointer cut the deficit to 10 points, 69-59 with 7:56 remaining for the Vikings, but five quick points from Connor Willgress (Mill Creek, WA) and two free throws by Doncaster sandwiched around a free throw by Alex Santos(Lawrence, MA) built the lead back up to 16, 76-60 with 4:54 left in the game. WPI received strong play from its bench, which tallied 28 points and contributed to the 25-point victory.

Ian Converse (Woodstock, Conn.) added 10 points and seven rebounds as the Engineers finished the day shooting 50% (33-66) from the field. Murray contributed 10 points and three assists and Drew Healy (Lowell, MA) notched nine points and eight rebounds for Salem State, which turned the ball over 17 times to just eight by WPI.

WPI hosts Keene State on Wednesday, December 28th at 6:00 PM. Salem State will play next on December 29th and 30th as the Vikings host their annual Holiday Invitational. This year Salem State will play Regis and Southern Maine. 

Release Courtesy Salem State Sports Information