Site:
Winston-Salem, N.C.

Score:
Methodist 70, Salem 50

Records:
Salem (7-7, 3-4 USA South) / Methodist (10-4, 7-1 USA South)

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

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Dionne Sampson netted 12 and first-year teammate Nykerah Engle added 10, but it was a 30-point effort by Methodist's Aniyah Tate that proved to be the difference as the Monarchs posted a 70-50 victory over Salem in USA South Conference action on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Gym.

While Sampson struggled from the floor, finishing just 3-of-11 from the floor, she reached double figures by virtue of a 6-of-7 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Engle was 4-of-5 from the free throw line and managed three field goals in the contest.

Sampson was also active on the glass, coming through with five rebounds, while Ti'Erra Lee closed with a team-high seven rebounds.

Tate led all scorers by converting 13-of-19 from the field and 4-of-5 at the free throw line, highlight a Monarch unit that was 30-of-63 (47.6%) from the floor in the contest. Jessica Drake joined her teammate in double figures with 11, while grabbing eight rebounds. Tate grabbed nine boards, narrowly missing a double-double in the contest.

FIRST QUARTER
The two teams traded buckets throughout the first quarter with Methodist owning a 12-10 lead at the close of the frame. Sampson closed out the quarter with eight points, hitting three field goals and two free throws in the process, while Drake and Tate closed with three apiece. Methodist established a 6-2 lead, following a bucket by Tate, but Sampson and Alize Munn helped Salem draw to within one, 8-7, with 2:29 remaining. Sampson closed out the frame with a bucket and a subsequent free throw, making for a two-point difference.

SECOND QUARTER
Methodist controlled the tempo in the second quarter, while Drake and Tate contributed eight points along the way. The Monarchs managed to hit 8-of-17 (57.1%) from the floor, including a trio from 3-point range, outscoring Salem 22-13 in the process. The Monarchs opened with five unanswered points, but Cree Bass knocked down a 3-pointer to slice the margin to two. Salem kept the margin close, following an Engle layup and free throw that resulted in a 21-20 score. However, Methodist amped up its defensive efforts and closed the half on a 12-2 run to make for a 34-23 lead at the intermission.

THIRD QUARTER
Salem regrouped during the half and answered with 12 points in the third, five of which came from Engle and three by virtue of Lee off the bench. Meanwhile, Tate countered with six points of her own as Methodist hit 7-of-17 (41.2%) in the quarter. Methodist scored the first eight of the third, assuming a 19-point lead, but Lee got Salem on the board with three points of her own. Facing an 18-point deficit, 48-30, Engle scored the final five of the quarter for Salem, which trimmed the margin to 48-35.

FOURTH QUARTER
Tate exploded for 13 points in the final quarter, solidifying the victory for Methodist, which hit 10-of-19 (52.5%) from the floor in the process. Lily Gorum provided two points for the Spirits, but the Monarchs managed to extend their lead to 57-37 on a Tate jumper. Salem would get the lead to under 20 on just one occasion over the final 5:49 of the contest as the Monarchs earned the victory.