WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem basketball team opens February action on the road with a series of contests with USA South Conference foes William Peace and N.C. Wesleyan this weekend. The Spirits begin the weekend with a Saturday clash against William Peace (2 p.m.) and conclude the two-game, two-day stretch by facing the Battling Bishops at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Salem (0-18, 0-11 USA South) remains in search of its first win in the head coaching career of Quntashea Lewis. The Spirits are led offensively by the trio of Sydney Bowen (200 points), Alize Brooks (181) and Aubrey Slaughter (135). Bowen tops the team in made field goals (75), hitting a team-best 28 from beyond the arc. Brooks ranks second in scoring due in large part to knocking down the most free throws (35) of any Spirit this season.
Slaughter is not only making an impact offensively with 135 points, hitting 56-of-145 from the floor, but also in the rebounding for Salem. In 18 games this season, the first year has pulled down 146 rebounds (97 defensive), which is second to Lauren Privette's 149 total boards (94 defensive). Slaughter has accounted for three double doubles over the course of the season, which came against Pfeiffer and Mary Baldwin (twice).
William Peace (18-2., 11-0 USA South) brings a 13-game winning streak into its game on Saturday, which began with an 86-70 triumph over Mary Baldwin on December 1. The Pacers have topped the 70-point mark on 10 occasions in that stretch, including a string of seven straight between Dec. 1 and Jan. 8.
The trio of Jaymesha Sanders (261), Mikayla Ray (241) and Lauryn Cross (220) highlight the William Peace offense. Sanders is the only player on the Pacers' roster with at least 100 field goals, knocking down 112-of-241 (46.5%) from the floor. Ray has snagged a team-best 178 rebounds (138 defensive), while Sanders is second with 137 boards.
N.C. Wesleyan (14-5, 9-2 USA South) begins weekend play with a meeting against Pfeiffer on Saturday, Feb. 1. Through the first 19 games of the season the Battling Bishops are led in scoring by Kayla Johnson, who has scored 337 points by virtue of hitting 122-of-310 (39.4%) from the floor. Johnson is one of five players to score at least 100 points for N.C. Wesleyan, along with Myrayna Watkins (233), Cydney Nichols (202), Kayrisma Harrison (178), Nyesha Best (108) and Keorra Taylor (104).
Kneclya Tripp is the primary presence in the paint for N.C. Wesleyan with 161 rebounds, climbing the glass for 76 on the offensive end. She has eight more than Harrison, who has snagged 153 rebounds (94 defensive), and 15 more than Watkins' 146 rebounds (101 defensive). That trio has been instrumental in providing the Battling Bishops with a 152-rebound edge (923-771) over the opposition.
For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.