Gibson Nets Game-Winning Jumper as Men's Basketball Downs Salem State, 79-77

SALEM, Mass. -- Kyle Gibson's (Franklin, Mass.) jumper with seven seconds remaining broke a tie game and propelled Bridgewater State to a thrilling 79-77 victory over Salem State at the O'Keefe Center Saturday afternoon.

Brian Ortiz (Salem, MA) missed a shot at the buzzer that could have tied it, as the Vikings (11-6 overall, 3-2 MASCAC) suffered their second league loss of the season, two nights after coming back from a 26-point deficit to beat Fitchburg State. The Bears improved to 7-9 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

Salem State, which led for most of the game, was ahead by four with 6:25 to play after an Ortiz three. But the Vikings went cold over the next four-and-a-half minutes, missing three shots, two free throws and committing two turnovers. Bridgewater State went on an 11-3 run to take a 77-73 lead - it's first of the game - with 1:50 remaining.

Andrew White (Medford, Mass.) snapped the slump with a steal and dunk to cut the deficit to two, and Justin Nieves (Lawrence, Mass.) made a pair of free throws with 31 second left to knot the game. But on the Bears ensuing possession, they worked the ball around to Gibson, who canned an open jumper. Gibson finished with 11 points, including a pair of big hoops down the stretch.

The Vikings were undone by the precision free-throw shooting of Bridgewater State. The Bears got to the line 11 more times than SSU, and made 21 of 24, including 13-for-14 in the second half. Salem State was 9-for-13 from the stripe. BSU also limited the Vikings' second chance opportunities, winning the battle of the boards 42-33 and limiting SSU to just four offensive rebounds.

Michael Lofton (Mansfield, Mass.) led the way for the Bears with a game-high 20 points on 8-13 shooting, and had 14 rebounds as well. He was joined in double figures by teammates Anthony Fortes (Providence, R.I.), who had 14, Gibson, and Shawn Yard (Brockton, Mass.), who finished with 10. Ortiz led four Vikings in double figures with 16 points, including 4-6 from beyond the arc. Nieves had 15, while Tavone Wynder (Boston, Mass.) and Nicholas Grassa (Lynn, Mass.) had 10 points apiece.

The Vikings return to the hardwood Tuesday evening when they visit Worcester State at 8 p.m. The Bears host MCLA Tuesday night at 7:30.