WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – When the Salem basketball team takes the court against Triad rival Greensboro on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m., the game will have a special meaning that extends beyond hoops. The clash will serve as a Pancreatic Cancer Awareness event in support of Pride head coach Randy Tuggle, who is battling the disease.
All Salem students will receive free nachos and cheese at the game (for as long as supplies last) and Spirit fans will have a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card that is being raffled off at halftime.
In an effort to visually support the cause and Coach Tuggle, the USA South Conference is supplying purple-themed warm-up shirts to be worn by each team during the specific games. Additionally, purple ribbons will be given to the coaching staffs and game personnel to wear in support. Finally, each member of the home team from the game will sign a shirt with well wishes which will be sent to Coach Tuggle.
Should you wish to support the Tuggle family financially, please do so by visiting their GoFundMe page. Any unused funds will be donated by the Tuggle's to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
It is one of two remaining home games for Salem, which has four games remaining in the 2019-20 season. The Spirits (0-20, 0-13 USA South) remain in search of their first win under first-year head coach. Leading the way for the unit in scoring is sophomore Sydney Bowen, who has 212 points (11.2 ppg) by virtue of hitting 79-of-255 (31%) from the floor and 30-of-104 (28.8%) from beyond the arc.
Salem's first-year standout Aubrey Slaughter, with a team-best four double-double performances on the season, has catapulted herself to the team lead in rebounds (164). Slaughter has eclipsed double figure rebounds on seven occasions in 2019-20, including a single-game season-high 16 against Mary Baldwin on Jan. 1.
Greensboro, with a 12-8 overall mark and 8-4 record in USA South Conference action, heads into the game in a tie for third with Averett in the East Division standings. The Pride posted back-to-back wins against Averett (66-59) and Warren Wilson (81-25) over the weekend to halt a two-game slide that took place versus William Peace (Jan. 26) and Mary Baldwin (Jan. 29).
Ashley Free leads Greensboro in scoring with 294 points (14.7 ppg), hitting 110-of-294 (37.4%) from the floor and 33-of-105 (31.4%) from beyond the arc. She is one of five Pride players with at least 110 points, along with Katie Lewis (260), Sabria Joseph (165), Diajah Hickson (160) and Nichelle Jeffries (112). Collectively, Greensboro is averaging 1,377 points and is averaging seven points a game more than its opposition.
The Pride are anchored in the paint by the combination of Hickson (138 rebounds) and Joseph (114), who lead the way for a unit that has pulled down 880 rebounds (44 rpg) on the season.
For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.
