Site:
Swannanoa, N.C.

Score:
Salem 76, Warren Wilson 69

Records:
Salem (1-0) / Warren Wilson (0-3)

Next Game:
Salem vs. Trinity (D.C.) | All-Women's Tip-Off Tournament | Roanoke, Va.

SWANNANOA, N.C. — Senior Alize Munn finished one point shy of her career high, notching a game-high 24 points, as she led the Salem basketball team to a 76-69 victory in Warren Wilson on Tuesday evening.

Joining Munn among double-digit scorers for the Spirits were Nykerah Engle (12) and Cree Bass, who recorded 13 in the victory. Dionne Sampson capped off the game with a 13-point effort for the Spirits.

Munn and Gorum shared the team lead in rebounds, grabbing nine apiece, combining for 11 offensive boards on the evening. Meanwhile, teammates Cristina Battistini and Ti'Erra Lee grabbed seven rebounds each for the reserves. 

First Quarter
The Owls opened the game by converting five field goals, along with three free throws, to assume a 13-10 lead at the close of the first frame. Salem countered with four field goals, along with seven rebounds (five offensive) in the quarter. The Owls opened on an 8-2 run, before Salem pulled even with six unanswered, capped off by a jumper from Munn. Warren Wilson closed out the half on a 5-2 run.

Second Quarter
Munn singlehandedly put Salem into the lead, 14-13, with a jumper inside the first two minutes. Bass answered with a jumper of her own as the teams eventually reached a 20-20 deadlock. After a trey by Aliyah Corpening provided the Spirits with a 23-22 advantage, Bass followed with a long distance shot of her own, making for a 26-22 lead. Bass scored the final two points of the frame for the Spirits, which was countered by six from Warren Wilson, tying the game at 28 apiece.

Third Quarter
The two teams opened the second half of play knotted at 28-all, but the Owls managed to distance themselves by 12 points at the end of the frame with a 30-18 outburst. Warren Wilson was successful on 12-of-23 (52.2%) from the floor, while the Spirits converted 8-of-18 (44.4%), including a 3-pointer. Sampson and Bass gave Salem a three-point lead, 33-30, before Warren Wilson eventually took a lead of its own on a layup by Catherine Pooser. Teammate Weronika Swojak extended the margin to eight, 48-40, before Munn sliced the deficit to four. Inside the final minute, Carmen Echols provided Warren Wilson with a 10-point advantage. Zoey Gore closed out the frame with a jumper, which made for a 58-46 lead.

Fourth Quarter
Looking to claim its second season-opening win under Sharee' Boyd and sixth in program history, the Spirits responded to the challenge in the fourth. Sampson knocked down a jumper, while Munn followed with six points of her own, to help the Spirits even the game at 58-all on a Corpening free throw. Battistini completed the comeback with a jumper, giving Salem a 60-58 lead. Engle added a layup and Sampson converted two free throws, stretching the Spirits' lead to 67-61 with 3:25 remaining. Just over a minute later, Sampson came through with clutch free throw conversions that kept Salem in the lead, 69-65. The Owls managed just two points down the stretch as Salem secured the victory.