Site:
Winston-Salem, N.C.

Score:
N.C. Wesleyan 89, Salem 37

Records:
Salem (7-6, 3-3 USA South) / N.C. Wesleyan (6-7, 6-1 USA South)

Next Game:
Methodist vs. Salem | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 4 p.m. | January 14 | Varsity Gym

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Led by the scoring duo of Areina Harris and Nadia Simmons, who combined for 40 points, N.C. Wesleyan completed the season series sweep of Salem with an 89-37 USA South Conference victory at Varsity Gym on Saturday, January 13th.

Dionne Sampson led the way offensively for Salem with 14 points, finishing 4-of-12 from the floor to go along with six free throws. Both Alize Munn and Nykerah Engle contributed six points apiece and teammate Lily Gorum climbed the glass for eight rebounds, including five offensive.

Harris capped off the game with 21 points, while Simmons added 19 of her own. The tandem led the way for a N.C. Wesleyan unit that was 33-of-74 (44.6%) from the floor and 15-of-27 (55.6%) at the free throw line. The Battling Bishops, who also converted eight 3-pointers, grabbed 66 rebounds (43 defensive), received 12 of those caroms from Johnay Goddard. Meanwhile, Simmons added 11 to complete her double-double.

FIRST QUARTER
Salem struggled to find its rhythm in the opening frame, hitting just 4-of-16 from the floor, resulting in a 22-13 advantage by the Battling Bishops. The combination of Munn and Engle lead Salem in scoring with four points apiece. Munn sliced the lead to one, 7-6, before a series of Engle free throws provided Salem with an 8-7 lead. Areina Harris drove home a jumper at the 4:46 mark, giving N.C. Wesleyan the lead. The Battling Bishops put together a 14-4 run to end the quarter, despite buckets by both Sampson and Bass.

SECOND QUARTER
The offensive woes continued for the Spirits, who converted just two field goals and a free throw in the quarter. Meanwhile, N.C. Wesleyan scored 17 points, receiving six from Nadia Simmons, who knocked down three field goals. The Battling Bishops scored the first 10 points of the frame, before a jumper by Lily Gorum halted the Salem skid at the 4:40 mark. Ti'Erra Lee and Engle accounted for the final three points of the quarter for Salem, which trailed 39-18 at the intermission.

THIRD QUARTER
The Battling Bishops extended their lead to 66-31 through three quarters, capitalizing on an 8-of-15 (47.1%), while knocking down 9-of-14 (64.3%) at the charity stripe. Four players came through with at least five points, including Simmons, who contributed six. Meanwhile, Salem received 10 points in the frame from Sampson, who highlighted the offense by hitting 3-of-5 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the free throw line.

FOURTH QUARTER
N.C. Wesleyan capped off the game by outscoring Salem 23-6 in the fourth quarter, hitting 10-of-21 (47.6%) from the floor. Salem, which managed just one field goal, picked up four points at the free throw line.