Salem, MA --- The foursome of Aidan Callahan (Rowley, MA), John Lowther (Hingham, MA), John Adams (Douglas, MA) and Andrew Lufkin (Auburn, NH) accounted for 60 of nationally-ranked WPI's 77 points as the Crimson and Gray went on the road Saturday and defeated Salem State 77-62 in a non-conference men's basketball matchup. 

The Engineers, 13th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, finish the week 2-0 and are now 7-1 overall while the host Vikings slip to 3-9 on their 2022-23 campaign. 

WPI never trailed in the contest, beginning with a 6-0 run and holding SSU scoreless on its first four possessions. After a Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, MA) jump shot and Conner Byrne (Melrose, MA) layup for the hosts, Lowther rallied for five points for WPI to bring the lead back to seven at 11-4. 

Midway through the first half,  Lowther and Callahan teamed up to create an 8-0 run for WPI that was highlighted by a Lowther assist on a Callahan trey and the visitors used that boost to take a 39-26 advantage into the locker room at the intermission.

Adams, who was limited to just one basket in the opening 20 minutes, came out of halftime on fire, successfully scoring seven points within the first three minutes of play, including a conventional 3-point play.  The hosts crept back to within 10 but the Engineers proceeded on another 8-0 run, seeing two points apiece from four different players. The Boynton Hillers were able to hold their lead the rest of the game, ending with a 15-point difference for the victory. 

Callahan led the way for WPI with eight boards and 19 points, the second best of his collegiate career behind a 23-point performance last Saturday at Hamilton.  Lowther and Adams added 16 and 14 points respectively and combined for 10 rebounds. Lufkin was just shy of a double-double, ending with 11 points and nine rebounds. 

Castillo paced Salem State with 14 points and four assists. Conner Byrne and Chris MacDonald (Wakefield, MA) both added 12 points apiece and combined for 10 rebounds. Jarret Byrne (Melrose, MA) narrowly missed a double-double of his own with 10 boards and nine points.  

WPI shot 42.9% on the afternoon with 31.3% from outside the arc. The Engineers achieved 32 points in the paint and nabbed 10 steals. Salem State hit 45.5% of their attempted field goals and 30.0% from behind the 3-point line. The Vikings grabbed 34 boards and completed two blocks. 

The Crimson and Gray are now off for over a week for B term finals before traveling out to Utica, NY on Monday, December 19th for a 2pm matchup with the Wildcats of SUNY-Poly.  Salem State closes out the 2022 portion of its schedule this Tuesday with a 7pm date at UMass Boston. 

Recap written by WPI Sports Information Student Assistant Maya Vartabedian