STAUNTON, Va. – Salem's Aubrey Slaughter notched her team-best third double-double of the season, and second against Mary Baldwin, emerging with 15 points and 12 rebounds in a 56-51 setback to the Fighting Squirrels in USA South Conference basketball action on Tuesday evening. The five-point loss by the Spirits marks the second-lowest point differential by the unit this season, with the fewest (three points) coming in a 58-55 setback to Warren Wilson on Nov. 16.
With the game knotted at 26-all heading into the third, the Spirits grabbed a 31-30 lead less than two minutes into the frame behind five points from Slaughter. Mary Baldwin countered with a 6-0 run, but the combination of Slaughter and Shenell Pharr brought the game to a 38-all tie with 1:41 remaining in the third. Dionne Sampson followed with a timely 3-pointer, extending the Salem lead to three, before a late basket by the Fighting Squirrels sliced the lead to 41-40 through three quarters.
Mary Baldwin carried over that momentum into the fourth in the form of a 7-0 run in the first 2:40 of the frame, moving in front 47-41. Baskets by Shenell Pharr and Shenique Pharr in transition knotted the game at 47 with just under five minutes remaining. Slaughter added a free throw and hauled in a key rebound, while Sydney Bowen knocked down a 3-pointer, to provide Salem with a 51-47 lead. Mary Baldwin put together a 9-0 run in the final 1:26 of the game, converting six free throws in the process, to complete the come-from-behind win.
Slaughter capped off the game by hitting 6-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-7 at the charity stripe, while pulling down 10 of her 12 rebounds on the defensive glass. Bowen led the Spirits (0-16, 0-9 USA South) in scoring with 16 points, converting 6-of-18 from the field and 4-of-11 from beyond the arc. Bowen also came through with seven rebounds.
Lauren Privette made her presence felt with 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, to go along with a team-best four assists. Alize Brooks was active with nine rebounds, four points and two steals.
Mary Baldwin (10-8, 5-5) took advantage of double-digit point performances from Bryonna Woofter (13 points), Nicole Mallon (13) and Brooke Anders (10) to claim the victory. Mallon completed a double-double in the game, closing with a game-high 15 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive end. Woofter guided the way for the offense with six assists.
Salem bolted out to a 10-0 lead in the first 2:24 pf the contest, sparked by Bowen, who knocked down two 3-pointers and a jumper in the paint. The lead eventually ballooned to 11, 15-4, when Bowen drove home a 3-pointer on a pass from Sampson at the 3:50 mark. Mary Baldwin would score nine unanswered to close out the first and trail by two heading into the second quarter.
The Fighting Squirrels grabbed their first lead of the game following a 3-pointer by Cauy Duboise at the 8:48 mark of the second. Salem fought back, eventually assuming a 23-21 lead with a series of free throw conversions by Brooks. Privette knocked down a jumper and Slaughter added a free throw to stretch the Spirits' lead to five, 26-21, but the back-and-forth battle continued as Mary Baldwin closed out the half on a 5-0 run, forcing a 26-all tie at the intermission.
Salem returns home on Saturday, Jan. 25, to host Averett at 2 p.m. in Varsity Gym. For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.