THE BASICS
Score: Emerson 75. Salem State 69
Records: Emerson Lions (2-2); Salem State Vikings (2-3)
Location: Boston, MA (Brown & Plofker Gym)
Date: November 18, 2023
The Lead: Trevor Arcio led all scorers as he dropped 26 points for the Emerson Men's Basketball Team in the home opener.
Asher Gardiner chipped in 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as the Lions held off Salem State to secure a 75-69 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
EMERSON
Trevor Arico: 26 points
Asher Gardiner: 20 points & 12 rebounds
Guillermo Gasset Ruiz: 9 points & 12 rebounds
SALEM STATE
Jaden Castillo: 22 points
Michael Makiej: 12 points & 7 rebounds
LJ Hicks: 11 points
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trevor Arico led the Lions in the first half as he went 5 of 7 from the field, including going 4 of 5 from three-point range and dropping in 16 points for Emerson. The Lions fell behind early in the first 20 minutes, but a three-pointer from Brendan McNamara gave the Lions a 17-16 lead with 11:35 remaining in the first half.
- Once the Lions took the lead, they quickly extended it to a 10-point lead and soon doubled that to a 20-point lead with just over 3 minutes remaining in the half.
- The Vikings tried to chip away at the lead but the Lions were able to hold on to a 14 -point lead heading onto halftme.
- Asher Gardiner had a strong first half as he dropped on 12 of his 20 points and pulled down 6 rebounds for the Lions.
- The Vikings continued to chip away at Emerson's lead as the second half began. Arico stayed hot for the Lions as he dropped in 10 more points in the second half and helped the Lions stay ahead of the Vikings.
- Jaden Castillo led Salem State's second half charge as he dropped in 14 of his 22 points in the second half.
- The Vikings got within striking distance in the final two minutes when LJ Hicks scored a layup, bringing the score to 65-62 in favor of the Lions. Arico would drill two free throws after a timeout by Emerson to ultimately put the game out of reach.
- The Lions secured their home opening win against Salem State; 75-69.
