WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem's Alize Brooks scored a game-high 21 points and teammate Sydney Bowen added 13, however it was the trio of Asia Caldwell, Danielle Hinkelman and Kalie Mayo that was instrumental in helping Warren Wilson complete a fourth quarter rally to down the Spirits by a 58-55 margin at Varsity Gym on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Brooks led the way for the Spirits, who dropped to 0-2 on the season, by hitting 8-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. She also contributed three rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes of action.

Bowen, reaching double figures for the first time this season, capped off a 13-point effort by connecting of 4-of-17 field goals, 3-of-4 free throws and a pair of long distance 3-pointers. Bowen, who was active both on offense and defense, emerged with five steals, four assists and three rebounds in the setback.

Salem's Lauren Privette hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds, pulling down eight on the defensive glass, while swatting a pair of Warren Wilson shots along the way. Aubrey Slaughter contributed nine boards (six defensive) and came through with nine points, narrowly missing a double-double. Haley McKinney was also active on the glass with nine rebounds (six defensive) to go along with three points and a blocked shot.

Salem established its offense early in the first quarter, bolting out to a 12-2 lead in the first 4:24 of the contest behind six points from Brooks and a 3-pointer off the hand of Bowen. With just under two minutes left, Brooks again pushed the lead to double figures, 17-7, following a 3-pointer on a pass from McKinney. Warren Wilson would tack on one final bucket, pulling to within eight, heading into the second quarter.

The Spirits were unable to replicate their 35 percent shooting performance (7-for-20) from the first quarter in the early stages of the second as Warren Wilson (1-1) pulled to within one, 17-16, with a 7-0 run capped off by a jumper from Bryanna Foster. McKinney got the Salem offense back on track with layup, quickly followed by a Bowen layup, as the Spirits moved in front 23-16 with 56 seconds remaining. McKinney added a free throw, which was quickly answered by a 3-pointer from Sam Hoyle, as Salem took a 24-19 lead into the intermission.

Slaughter provided the offensive spark for Salem in the opening minutes of the third as the Spirits stretched their lead back to seven, 28-21, following a jumper by the first year standout. The Owls answered with a 7-3 run, highlighted by four points from Hinkelman, to make for a three-point contest. Brooks knocked down two free throws and Bowen converted a timely 3-pointer to give the Spirits a 36-32 advantage through three quarters.

The Owls defensive pressure, coupled with a three-point play by Caldwell, trimmed the Salem lead to 36-35 in the opening minute of the fourth. Brooks answered with a pair of 3-pointers and Slaughter knocked down a jumper to provide the Spirits with a six-point 44-38 lead. Warren Wilson put together a 12-1 run over the next 4:55 of the game, highlighted by four points each from Mayo and Hinkelman, to assume the 50-45 lead.

Bowen tallied four points down the stretch, including a layup that sliced the lead to 52-51 with 1:26 remaining, but Hinkelman tallied four points in a 22-second stretch to secure the three-point win for the Owls.
The Spirits return to the court on Wednesday, Nov. 20, when they host Johnson & Wales at 6:30 p.m. For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.