Rivier's Izaiah Shaw-Glen, shown earlier this season, led the Raiders with 19 points in a losing cause vs. Salem State on Thursday night in Nashua. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The fell to non-conference opponents Salem St. following the Vikings late second half surge to claim the contest 71-64 Thursday evening at the Muldoon Center.

With the loss, the Raiders fell to 4-5, while the Vikings improved to 6-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier opened the game with steady offense inside, as early baskets from seniors Jamari Williams, Izaiah Shaw-Glen, Robenson Baguidy helped keep the game close, 12-7.

A defensive spark midway through the first half shifted momentum, leading to an 7-0 Raiders run that included a three from sophomore Steph Barnes and a second-chance finish by first-year Daylen Dalcour to make it 25-18.

A pair of layups from Baguidy helped Rivier take a 29-23 advantage into the half.

The Raiders extended their lead early in the second behind a transition alley-oop slam from Williams on a lob from Baguidy and a three from junior Theo Briscoe IV to make it 34-27.

Salem St. responded with a series of baskets in the paint and capitalized on the deep ball erase the deficit and take its first lead of the half,

Dalcour briefly halted the run with a tough finish, and Briscoe added a pull-up jumper from range to keep the Raiders within six, 52-46.

The Vikings continued to attack late, using a decisive run to push the margin to 67-56 in the final minute. Rivier added a late layup from Dalcour, but Salem St. held firm down the stretch to secure the 71-64 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

As a team the Raiders held a slight edge on the glass, outrebounding the Vikings 38-37…Shaw-Glen set the tone offensively and defensively, recording a double-double and a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds…Baguidy followed closely behind, recording 15 points with five rebounds and four assists…Brisco IV and sophomore Matt Youngquist rounded out the scoring, tallying 10 points each.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the court for their penultimate game before the winter break Saturday as they take on non-conference foe, Bridgewater St. Tip-off is scheduled for noon in the Muldoon Center.

MEN’S HOCKEY

MCLA 4 RIVIER 1

Rivier fell to The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action in North Adams, Mass.

With the result, the Raiders dropped to 1-9-1 on the season (1-3-0 MASCAC), while the Trailblazers improved to 2-5-2 (1-2-1 MASCAC).

MCLA struck first just 1:03 into the opening period. Despite Rivier holding a 21-18 shots advantage in the second frame, the Trailblazers carried their one-goal lead into the third.

The Trailblazers extended their lead in the third period off a power play opportunity at 6:17. Rivier answered 20 seconds later, as Payton Kender buried a power-play tally assisted by Aaron Sawicki and Michael Caparco, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

However, at the 10:43 mark, MCLA once again made it a two-goal game. The Trailblazers capped off the scoring, 4-1, with a short-handed goal at 18:22.

The Trailblazers outshot the Raiders 41-37, while Kender led the offense for the Raiders with one goal on nine shots. Junior Mason Meyers tallied 37 saves in the net.

The Raiders return to action at Conway Arena for another MASCAC matchup against Westfield St. on Saturday at 7 p.m. The contest will also feature Youth Hockey Night and a Toys for Tots drive.