Winston-Salem, NC-The Salem College basketball season opened up their 2015-16 basketball season with a 64-46 loss today against Methodist University. Salem kept the contest within striking distance for the majority of the game, but they couldn't completely close the gap. Sabrina Shepherd finished with a team-high 14 points and 9 rebounds for the Spirits. Salem falls to 0-1, while Methodist improves to 2-0. 

The first quarter went back and forth as both teams tried to find their footing in the early season game. Methodist held a 14-12 lead after the first quarter. They were able to extend the lead to 35-23 at the half.

Salem played their best quarter in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 8 midway through the quarter. The Spirits scored their most points of a quarter in the third with 17. Methodist was able to hold on for the win in the final quarter.

Salem won the turnover battle as they caused 17 Monarch turnovers and only had 14 turnovers of their own. Methodist held a 59-33 rebound advantage. Several Salem starters were in foul trouble throughout the game.

Shaniqua Collins, Alexiahonna Bush, and Laramie Miller all finished with 6 points for Salem. Bush and Quntashea Lewis each had 6 rebounds. Miller led the Spirits with 4 steals, while MiKayla Seivers had 3 steals. Lewis and Seivers each finished with 3 assists.

The Spirits return home on Tuesday as they host Virginia Wesleyan at 7:00.