Site: Raleigh, N.C. / Weatherspoon Athletic Center

Score: Meredith 70, Salem 61

Records: Meredith (5-12, 5-5 USA South) / Salem (1-15, 0-8 USA South)

Next Game: Salem vs. Pfeiffer| January 21| Varsity Gym | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 2:00 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Meredith capitalized on an 8-5 run in the final 4:52 of the third quarter, resulting in a 50-47 lead entering the final frame, before capitalizing on six field goals and eight free throws in the final quarter to earn a 70-61 victory in USA South Conference action on Wednesday evening in Raleigh, N.C.

Salem was led in scoring by Cree Bass, who finished 7-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Teammates Dionne Sampson (16) and Tamsi Echendu (10) also reached double-digit scoring for a Spirits' unit that closed 23-of-61 (37.7%) from the floor and 12-of-19 (63.2%) at the free throw line.

Sampson was singlehandedly responsible for eight of Salem's free throws, attempting 11 in the contest. Meanwhile, Echendu and Savanah Atkins grabbed a team-best six rebounds, including five on the offensive glass apiece.

Meredith was led offensively by Kate Perko, who scored 32 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, including 16 on the defensive glass. Piper Carriere tallied 10 points for the Avenging Angels, who moved to the .500 mark (5-5) in USA South action.

FIRST QUARTER
Both teams came out firing in the opening frame with Salem knocking down 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from the floor and Meredith countering with a 52.4 percent (11-of-21) outing. Both Echendu and Sampson scored six points for Salem, which fell behind 11-4 inside the first four minutes of the game. The Spirits retaliated with an 8-4 run, capped off by an Alize Munn free throw, to pull within three, 15-12. After trimming the lead to one, 19-18, Meredith held off the Salem charge to lead 23-22 at the end of the frame.

SECOND QUARTER
Salem amped up its defense in the second, limiting Meredith to 2-of-14 (14.3%) from the field, as the Spirits outscored the opposition 16-8. Sampson was the offensive catalyst with six points, while Bass added five for a Salem unit that was 5-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. Sampson provided the Spirits with the lead, 26-23, at the 9:06 mark. Salem allowed just two points over a span of 7:53, while scoring 12 points of its own to forge ahead 38-25. Meredith answered with the final six points of the frame to trail 38-31 at the intermission.

THIRD QUARTER
Grace Ledford emerged with eight points in the third and Perko added six of her own as Meredith outscored Salem 19-9 to regain the lead, 50-47, at the close of the third. The Avenging Angels were 6-of-16 from the field and 5-of-8 at the charity stripe to grab the lead. Meredith used an 11-4 run to even the game at 42-all before scoring eight unanswered to grab the eight-point advantage. Salem ended the frame with a flurry of points, trimming the deficit to three.

FOURTH QUARTER
Salem scratched its way back into the lead, 52-51, with a layup from Echendu, following an assist from Alize Brooks. The lead changed hands three more times before a Carriere layup provided the Avenging Angels with a lead they would not relinquish. Leading 55-54, Meredith put together an 11-3 run that extended the lead to nine. Salem came through with four points down the stretch, but Meredith held on for the nine-point win.