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After being on the receiving end on a No. 15 vs. No. 2 first-round shocker last year, Salem High (13th) was looking to re-pay the favor to No. 4 Nashua South.

Andrew Ruffen connected on four of Salem's 10 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 22 points as the Blue Devils topped Pinkerton 67-61. Michael Felix added three treys of his own.

The fourth quarter was the Steve Nugent show as he scored all 10 of Salem's points including a bucket in the final minute to send the game to overtime. From there, Jack Hartman hit a quick 3 while Michael Felix's steal and basket gave the Blue Devils the lead to stay, toppling Exeter, 57-53. Nugent finished with 22 points and 5 steals while freshman Matt Vartanian 8 rebounds and 5 points.

Big 3-pointers dug into Salem's fourth-quarter lead, but 13-of-14 free throw shooting stood the 5-8 Blue Devils well in a 62-58 upset of 10-3 Spaulding. Andrew Ruffen scored 12 of his team-high 23 points in the final period. Jack Hartman (seven points) and freshman Matt Vartanian (eight points) combined for 14 rebounds while Mike Felix contributed seven assists in the victory.

With 30 seconds left in a tie game, Salem forced a Londonderry turnover and freshman Matt Vartanian made it pay off by sinking a 10-footer from baseline. His only hoop of the night earned Salem a 45-43 victory. Good team defense led by Jack Hartman ("He stepped up on both ends of the floor," said head coach Rob McLaughlin) held Londonderry to just 16 second-half points.

Steven Nugent (17 points), Jeffrey LaRosa (12 points), Anthony Lopez (11 points) and Andrew Ruffen (10 points) all were in double-figures in scoring to lead Salem boys basketball 63-54 over Mancester West.

North Andover scored the first 12 points of the game and cruised to a 75-40 win in a Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney consolation game.

Chris Bardwell led all scorers with 19 points. Brendan Miller added 11 including a two-handed slam dunk and Isaiah Nelsen and Derek Collins added 10 points each. Sophomore Isiah Latham led the Blue Devils with 11 points.

Central Catholic puts on a show and whips Salem 76-31 in the first round of the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney. Doug Gemmell had 16 points, Tyler Nelson 12, Joel Berroa 12.

Salem was no match for Memorial and the worse news is standout Andrew Ruffen is experiencing foot problems and will miss the Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney said coach Rob McLaughlin.