Men’s Basketball Falls Short in Overtime vs. Salem State

PAXTON, Mass. – Anna Maria College nearly erased a 19-point deficit, but ultimately fell 86-81 in overtime to Salem State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Fuller Activity Center.

With the loss, the AMCATS drop to 5-13 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

Anna Maria trailed 41-28 late in the first half before a timely defensive play shifted momentum, as John Witt came away with a steal that led to a Tyson Wheeler three-pointer just before the buzzer, cutting the deficit to 10 heading into the break.

The AMCATS carried that energy into the second half, outscoring the Vikings 38-28 over the final 20 minutes. Anna Maria chipped away at the deficit before taking a 61-59 lead with five minutes remaining. Lucas Miglionico knocked down a three-pointer with 1:32 left in regulation to give the AMCATS a seven-point advantage, but Salem State responded with a late push, tying the game at 67-67 to force overtime.

The Vikings controlled the extra session, outscoring Anna Maria 17-12 to secure the win and halt the AMCATS' bid for back-to-back overtime comeback victories following Wednesday's 25-point rally against Framingham State.

Miglionico led the AMCATS with 22 points, adding six rebounds and four assists. James McKinney provided a spark off the bench, finishing with a career-high 18 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting while pulling down six rebounds. Wheeler contributed 12 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Ryan Outlow and Stevens Joacine each added nine points, with Outlow grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.

Anna Maria returns to action on Wednesday, February 4, when it travels to MCLA for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

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