Site:
Greensboro, N.C.

Score:
Greensboro 62, Salem 56

Records:
Salem (7-11, 3-8 USA South) / Greensboro (4-14, 4-7 USA South)

Next Game:
Salem at Methodist | Fayetteville, N.C. | 6 p.m. | January 30 | March F. Riddle Center

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro used a 25-point fourth quarter outburst, overcoming a 43-37 deficit entering the frame, and earned a 62-56 victory over Salem when the two teams clashed at Hanes Gym on Saturday afternoon in a USA South Conference contest.

Salem collected 44 of its 56 points from the trio of Dionne Sampson (19), Nykerah Engle (15) and Cristina Battistini (10). Sampson was not only active as a scorer, but also in the paint with seven rebounds, while Engle forced six steals and Battistini provided three rebounds and two steals. Sampson finished off her afternoon by hitting 8-of-20 from the floor and 2-of-4 from the line. Engle picked up 11 of her points at the charity stripe, where she was successful on 11-of-12 attempts. Battistini converted 5-of-6 at the free throw line.

The trio helped the Spirits to finish 16-of-53 (30.2%) from the floor and 22-of-28 (78.6%) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Greensboro countered with 19 field goals and 22-of-31 (71%) at the free throw line in the contest. The two teams were separated by just eight rebounds, with Greensboro holding a 45-37 edge. The biggest statistical discrepancy came in fast break points, where The Pride accounted for 24 points compared to Salem's 10, along with 9-0 edge in second chance points.

FIRST QUARTER
Salem pounced on The Pride early in contest, establishing a 17-8 lead through the first quarter by virtue of hitting 5-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-8 at the free throw line. The Spirits converted the first nine points of the contest, receiving four from Sampson and three from Cristina Battistini as they established a 9-0 lead at the 5:10 mark. Battistini followed with a pair of free throws to put Salem at double figures, 10-3, before conversions from Sampson and Triana Smallwood marked the final points of the frame.

SECOND QUARTER
The Pride rebounded from a tough shooting opening frame to edge Salem 16-14 in scoring in the second. Engle scored five of Salem's 10 points to start the second quarter, helping stretch the lead to 27-13 on a layup following a pass from Sampson. Greensboro trimmed the margin to nine, 27-18, following a jumper by Kenzie Harris with 4:11 remaining. The Pride eventually moved to within five, 27-22, following a series of Harris free throws. However, Engle and Ti'Erra Lee followed with buckets for Salem, resulting in a 31-24 lead by the Spirits at the intermission.

THIRD QUARTER
The two teams were again closely matched in the frame with Greensboro edging out the Spirits 13-12 in total points. Salem accounted for nine of its 12 points at the charity stripe as The Pride defensively limited Salem to just one field goal in eight attempts. Salem managed to hold its ground with 12 rebounds, as The Pride converted just four field goals and five free throws in the frame.

FOURTH QUARTER
It was the fourth quarter that the Greensboro offense found its rhythm, hitting 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the floor and 10-of-12 (83.3%) at the free throw line. Meanwhile, Salem converted just 6-of-19 from the floor, knocking down one 3-pointer along the way, and did not make a trip to the charity stripe. Sampson opened scoring with a layup, quickly followed by a conversion by Aliyah Corpening, as Salem held a 47-39 lead. However, Greensboro retaliated with a 10-2 run, capped off by a layup from Samya Williams, as the score evened at 49-all. The Pride would continue their hot shooting, stretching the margin to 55-49, before a layup from Battistini put Salem at 51. Greensboro would surrender just five points down the stretch to close out the home victory.