Site:
Winston-Salem, N.C. / Varsity Gym

Score:
Brevard 66, Salem 46

Records:
Salem (5-0, 1-1 USA South) / Brevard (5-2, 2-1 USA South)

Next Game:
Salem at Johnson & Wales | Charlotte, N.C. | 6 p.m.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Senior guard Dionne Sampson poured in a game-high 25 points, hitting eight field goals and a trio of 3-pointers in the process, but it was the Brevard duo of Olivia Miller and Makenna Parkins, who combined for 31 points, that proved to be the difference as the visiting Tornados emerged with 66-46 victory in Varsity Gym on Saturday afternoon.

Sampson led the way with 25 points, converting 8-of-17 from the floor and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, while knocking down all six free throws. Teammate Alize Munn added eight points, finishing with three points and two free throws, while adding four steals, three rebounds and two blocked shots. Nykerah Engle came through with six points and two rebounds to round out the top Salem scorers.

The Spirits struggled to find their offensive rhythm in their second USA South Conference game of the season, hitting just 14-of-47 (29.8%) from the floor and 3-of-13 (23.1%) at the free throw line. The one bright spot for Salem was hitting 15-of-24 (62.5%) free throws.

Olivia Miller was the top scorer for the Tornados, closing with 16 points by virtue of 7-of-13 shooting, grabbing nine rebounds (seven defensive) along the way. Parkins tallied 15 points, while equaling her teammate in total rebounds, hitting 6-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-4 at the charity stripe.

Brevard finished 26-of-56 (46.4%) from the floor, despite missing all eight 3-point attempts, and knocked down 14-of-20 (70%) at the free throw line.

First Quarter
Facing a 6-2 deficit early in the opening frame, Salem used a jumper from Engle and a layup by Sampson to quickly even the contest at six-all. Brevard answered with a 6-0 run of its own, capped off by a pair of Jada Petty-Wilkins' free throws. Sampson scored five points, while Munn and Cree Bass combined for three, resulting in a one-point lead for the Tornados at the close of the frame.

Second Quarter
Brevard used 10 points in the paint to stretch its lead to 29-19 at the intermission. The Tornados stretched their lead to five in the first two minutes of the quarter, but a layup by Munn followed by a bucket from Aliyah Corpening resulted in a 20-19 lead at the 6:16 mark. Five different Tornados combined for 10 points, while Salem was unable to convert a field goal, making for the 10-point lead at the break.

Third Quarter
Salem managed to narrow the lead to seven in the first minute of the frame, following a jumper from Sampson and a free throw by Lily Gorum, but Brevard answered with a 9-1 run that extended the margin to 38-24. Engle drove home two free throws, while Sampson connected on a long distance trey from the corner, making for a 38-29 contest. The Spirits continued to make an offensive push, highlighted by a second Sampson 3-pointer and a pair of Munn free throws, making for a 40-34 contest, before an 8-0 run by the Tornados resulted in a 48-34 margin. Salem scored four points over the final 1:34 of the quarter to keep the margin at 14.

Fourth Quarter
Brevard closed the game by hitting 6-of-15 (40%) from the field in the final quarter, outscoring Salem 14-8 in the process. The Tornados surrendered just three points in the first 6:02 of the frame, which came on free throws by Sampson and Gorum, resulting in a 63-41 lead. Sampson drove home a 3-pointer at the 3:18 mark and Isabella Childs added a free throw, but Brevard saw its lead slip to under 20 on just two occasions.