Salem, Mass. -- Rachel Carter (Merrimack, NH) led the Vikings of Salem State to a thrilling 57-56 victory over the Fitchburg State Falcons with a game-winning layup with five seconds on the clock to snap a 14-game losing streak. Carter had a big night from the floor, scoring 16 points while adding eight rebounds and a game-high nine assists. Salem State improves to 3-16 on the year and earned their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory this season (1-6). With the loss, the Falcons slip to 11-8 on the season, and fall to 3-5 in the MASCAC.  The game was resumed from Saturday after court issues forces a postponement. 
 
Jackie Boffoli (Holden, MA) and Megan Wodzinski (Littleton, MA) combined for 20 first half points for Fitchburg State as the Falcons held an early lead. Saran Kaba's (Dorchester, MA) effort on both sides of the court in the first half was a major impact in Salem State's attempt to keep Fitchburg State in their sight. Kaba hit a mid-range jumper at the 11:30 mark that tied the game at 12-12. Kaba also contributed two steals that allowed her team to score 10 points off of 13 Falcon turnovers in the half. Shortly after Kaba's jumper, Fitchburg opened up a 23-12 lead after an 11-0 run, led by Wodzinski, who scored five points during that stretch. Gabriela Ferraro (Douglas, MA) led all Vikings in scoring in the half with nine points as she shot a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. Despite Ferraro's sharp shooting Salem State exited the half trailing 36-30. 
 
Despite trailing the majority of the game, the Vikings stayed within striking distance and grabbed a 55-54 lead with just under a minute to go, until a costly turnover led to a fast break jump shot made by Keyon Armstrong (Brockton, MA) that gave the Falcons a 56-55 edge with 00:24 on the clock. After a timeout, the Vikings rallied to give the ball to their hot hand, and Carter delivered as she scored a layup with five seconds on the clock to secure a 57-56 victory, snapping a 14-game losing streak.
 
Gabriela Feraro (Douglas, MA) finished with nine points for Salem State while Savanah Spinney (Everett, MA) added five points and four rebounds.
 
Wodzinski led Fitchburg State with 12 points, three blocks and four steals while Boffoli added 10 points and six boards and Kristen Enright (Westminster, MA) contributed 11 points and seven rebounds to carry the load for the Falcons. The Falcons' Britney Payne (Franklin, KY) contributed a game-high 15 rebounds to go with seven points.
 
The Vikings resume action when they host the Lancers of Worcester State University on February 7th at 1:00 p.m. in MASCAC competition. Fitchburg State will take on the Trailblazers of MCLA in North Adams at 1:00 p.m. on February 7th as well.