Sean Bryan scored his 1,500th career point, but Salem State lost in overtime, 82-80 to Babson in the consolation game of the New England Big Four Challenge on Saturday afternoon at Red Auerbach Arena in Waltham.
Bryan becomes just the seventh player in Salem State history to eclipse the 1,500 total points mark and is the first player to reach the milestone since Brian Clark in 2012.
The Vikings’ Conner Byrne, who was named to the New England Big Four All Tournament Team, led all players with 27 points, going 12-of-14 (85.7 percent) from the floor while securing a team-high 19 rebounds to go with four blocks. Bryan finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds while Josiah Green was the only other player in double figures for Salem State.
Conner Byrne was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, scoring 11 first half points as Salem State (4-5) built a 40-38 halftime advantage. Despite shooting 1-of-6 (16.7 percent) from three-point range in the opening half, the Vikings connected on 18-of-31 shots (58.1 percent).
Neither team could pull away over the first 10 minutes of the game. However, a three-pointer by David Cross gave Babson (6-4) a 19-12 cushion at the 9:46 mark. Bryan, who had 10 first half points, scored his milestone basket with a layup that gave the Vikings a 30-29 lead with 4:19 remaining. Connor Byrne increased the margin to three, 34-31 with a dunk, but five straight points by the Beavers reclaimed the lead for Babson, 36-34. Trailing by two, Conner Byrne and Jarret Byrne connected for back-to-back baskets, giving Salem State a 40-38 advantage at the break.
The second half saw Jarret Byrne give the Vikings their largest lead, 57-50, but an 8-0 run by Babson cut the deficit to a point, 64-63, at the 8:08 mark following a Dorney free throw. Jaden Castillo answered with a layup for Salem State as the two teams battled into the stretch with the largest lead being three points by either side. Castillo gave the Vikings a 73-70 lead with :38 seconds left, but Colin Bradanese, who had 14 points after halftime, tied the game with a three at 73-all with :18 seconds left in regulation, sending the game into overtime.
The Vikings scored just two field goals in the extra period as two Dorney free throws gave the Beavers a 79-77 lead with 2:18 left. Green cut the deficit to 81-80 with a three for the Vikings with :37 seconds left, but Bradanese secured the 82-80 victory with a free throw.
