Nov. 20, 2007

Box Score

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Salem State College head coach Tim Shea picked up career victory number 599 on Tuesday night, as his Vikings defeated host Babson College, 64-55, in a non-conference women's basketball contest at Staake Gymnasium. With the win, Salem State remained unbeaten at 3-0 on the year, while the Beavers fell to 1-2.

After taking a slim 29-27 lead into the break, the Vikings went up by nine (40-31) early in the second half with a 6-0 run that included a lay-up from senior tri-captain Michelle Gosselin (Underhill, Vt.) and back-to-back baskets by sophomore forward Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, Mass.). The Vikings still led by nine at 43-34 with 13 minutes left when sophomore Kerry Stokes (Newbury, Mass.) scored five straight points to spark a 7-0 spurt that gave the visitors a 50-34 cushion. Salem State would eventually go up by as many as 16 on a lay-up by Jenkins that made it 52-36 with 7:37 remaining, and Babson would get no closer than eight the rest of the way as the Vikings claimed the 64-55 victory.

Jenkins turned in a monster second half for Salem State, recording 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots in the final 20 minutes of play to finish with 21 points, 15 boards, and four blocks in the contest. Sophomore Katie Bielonko (Chicopee, Mass.) joined her in double-figures with 11 points, while sophomore guard Jakoya Wilkins (Dorchester, Mass.) totaled eight rebounds, six assists, and six steals. The Vikings enjoyed a commanding 66-45 rebounding advantage in the contest, including 31 offensive caroms that led to 26 second-chance points.

Babson received a third straight double-double from senior Linsey Poulson (Leominster, Mass.), who finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds, three blocked shots, and three steals. Seniors Caitlin Fenn (Niantic, Conn.) and Caitlin Boulier (Wolcott, Conn.) each added 10 points, with Boulier also blocking three shots. First-year Amanda Grammel (Leominster, Mass.) continued to play well at the point guard position, recording six points, five assists, and four steals, while fellow rookie Kristy Benoit (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added a career-high eight points and three steals in defeat.

Now boasting 599 career victories, Shea will go for number 600 a week from Thursday when the Vikings play at Plymouth State University at 5:30 p.m. Babson will look to get back to the .500 mark one week from tonight when they head to Medford for a 7 p.m. matchup with Tufts University.