ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Myrayna Watkins completed a double-double performance that included 22 points and 12 rebounds and was one of three N.C. Wesleyan players with 20-points in the contest as the Battling Bishops completed a 111-36 victory over Salem in USA South basketball action in Rocky Mount, N.C. on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Watkins, who knocked down 8-of-12 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe, was one of three Battling Bishops to top 20-points in the contest along with Kayla Johnson and Leah Wright, who tallied 20 points apiece. In total there were six players for N.C. Wesleyan (16-5, 11-2 USA South) with double figures, including Cydney Nichols (15), Nyesha Best (12) and Kayrisma Harrison (10). Collectively, the team finished 40-of-82 (48.8%) from the field, 15-of-30 (50%) from 3-point range and 16-of-23 (69.6%) at the free throw line.
Kneclya Tripp led all rebounders with 13 boards, grabbing six on the offensive glass, as N.C. Wesleyan closed with a 58-31 advantage in total rebounds. Teammate Keorra Taylor narrowly missed double figure assists, closing with nine.
Salem (0-20, 0-13 USA South) was led in scoring by Alize Brooks, who tallied 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the floor, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers along the way. Aubrey Slaughter and Dionne Sampson finished with eight points apiece for the Spirits, who managed to hit 16-of-56 (28.6%) from the floor. Slaughter was also active on the glass with a team-best seven boards.
Salem enjoyed its best quarter of the day in the third, hitting 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the floor, including a trio of 3-pointers, and was led offensively by Brooks' nine points. Brooks converted 3-of-4 field goals, including a pair from long distance, as the Spirits had a 22-point frame.
Facing a 75-32 deficit heading into the fourth, Salem managed just four points over the final 10 minutes, while the Battling Bishops tallied 38 to complete the decisive win. Wright led the way with 13 points in the frame for N.C. Wesleyan while Watkins added 11.
The Battling Bishops streaked out to a 15-0 lead in the before a Slaughter jump shot provided Salem with its first bucket of the game at the 4:53 mark. Slaughter added the fourth point of the game for the Spirits, however N.C. Wesleyan managed to stretch its lead 24-4, as the quarter closed with Salem trailing 27-8.
N.C. Wesleyan converted 8-of-23 (34.8%) from the floor and 2-of-6 (40%) from beyond the arc, while limiting the Spirits to two points in the second quarter, establishing a 49-10 lead at the intermission.
The Spirits return to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 5, when they face Gate City rival Greensboro at 5:30 p.m. at Varsity Gym. For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.