Site:
Staunton, Va. / Physical Activities Center

Score:
Mary Baldwin 60, Salem 55

Records:
Salem (8-16, 4-13 USA South) / Mary Baldwin (3-21, 2-15 USA South)

Next Game:
Salem at Brevard | Brevard, N.C. | 2 p.m. | February 17 | Boshamer Gym

STAUNTON, Va. — The Salem duo of Dionne Sampson and Ti'Erra Lee reached double figures, finishing with 12 points and 11 points, respectively, but it was a 20-point effort by A'Cetta Farrait that proved to be the difference as Mary Baldwin earned the season series split with the Spirits by claiming a 60-55 win.

Sampson closed the game by hitting 5-of-18 from the floor, while Lee was successful on 4-of-12 field goals. Salem, which was limited to just nine players, was 18-of-72 from the floor in the contest, hitting 5-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Spirits also knocked down 14-of-20 (70%) at the free throw line.

FIRST QUARTER
Salem grabbed a six-point lead, 15-9, by the close of the first quarter by hitting six field goals, including two from long distance. Meanwhile, the Fighting Squirrels converted just four field goals and a free throw to close in single digits. After surrendering the first two points of the contest, Salem answered with seven straight points, including an Engle free throw at the 6:40 mark. Sampson put Salem into double figures, 11-6, before buckets by Bass and Childs provided the 15th-point of the contest.

SECOND QUARTER
The Spirits' offense endured shooting woes throughout the frame, converting just 3-of-17 (17.6%) from the field. Meanwhile, Mary Baldwin narrowed the halftime lead to just three points with a 15-point quarter. Salem notched its first points of the quarter when Engle converted a free throw at the 5:48 mark. Angel Crowder tied the game for Mary Baldwin at 18-all with four minutes left, but Salem scored six of the final nine points, to assume the 24-21 advantage.

THIRD QUARTER
Mary Baldwin made its push for the lead in the third quarter, coming through with 23 points after converting 8-of-15 (53.3%) from the floor and three 3-pointers along the way. Meanwhile, Salem countered with 17 points and hauled in 11 rebounds, including seven on the defensive glass. Buckets by Dashe'na Hopkins and Bass kept Salem in front 27-23 inside the first minute, but it was a 10-0 run by Mary Baldwin that resulted in a 33-27 advantage. Salem regained the lead, 36-35, following a steal from Basss and a 3-pointer by Sampson at 4:31. The two teams closed the quarter separated by just three points, 44-41, with Mary Baldwin holding the lead.

FOURTH QUARTER
The Fighting Squirrels added 16 more points in the final quarter, knocking down 6-of-13 (46.2%) from the field. Salem's offensive attack was limited to just three field goals, but did manage eight free throws along the way. Mary Baldwin notched eight of the first 10 points in the frame, but a 7-0 run by the Spirits closed the gap to 53-50 with a jumper from Aliyah Corpening. Salem managed just five points over the final 3:37 of the game, resulting in a five-point victory.