WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After wrapping up a four-game road stretch against Mary Baldwin on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Salem basketball team returns to Varsity Gym on Saturday to face Averett at 2 p.m. in the first meeting of the season between the two units.

Salem (0-16, 0-9 USA South) heads into the game averaging 53.3 points per game in league play by virtue of hitting 187-of-550 (34%) from the field this season. Sydney Bowen leads the way for the Spirits in scoring against league opposition with 123 points (13.7 ppg), converting 45-of-127 (35.4%) from the floor and 19-of-54 (35.2%) from beyond the arc. Teammate Lauren Privette has snagged 83 rebounds (30 offensive) in the nine league meetings for Salem.

In Tuesday setback against Mary Baldwin, Salem's Aubrey Slaughter notched her team-best third double-double of the season, and second against Mary Baldwin, emerging with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The five-point loss by the Spirits marks the second-lowest point differential by the unit this season, with the fewest (three points) coming in a 58-55 setback to Warren Wilson on Nov. 16.

Averett (11-6, 5-3 USA South) is riding a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday after completing road wins over Mary Baldwin (51-41), Pfeiffer (64-57) and Methodist (62-52). The Cougars have only suffered two setbacks in all of January, which came at Southern Virginia (64-59) and William Peace (67-58).

Brooke Carthon leads the way for Averett in scoring with 236 points (13.9 ppg), hitting 81-of-218 from the floor and 71-of-109 (65.1%) at the charity stripe in the process. She is one of four Cougars with at least 100 points on the season along with Camryn Lunsford (186 points), Courtney Scott (151) and Ravyn Johnson (151).

Carthon is also the team leader in total rebounds (140), grabbing 60 on the offensive glass. She has helped provide Averett with a 780-672 advantage in rebounds over its opposition this season.

For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.