RALEIGH, N.C. – Cierra Baker scored a game-high 17 points and led four players in double figures as William Peace emerged with an 88-48 victory over Salem in USA South Conference action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Hermann Athletic Center.
Baker, who finished 6-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, was joined in double-digit scoring by the trio of Mariah Partin (13 points), Khadijah Daniels (10) and Jaymesha Sanders (10). William Peace finished the game hitting 34-of-69 (49.3%) from the floor, 7-of-18 (38.9%) from 3-point range and 13-of-16 (81.3%) from the free throw line.
The Pacers (19-2, 12-0 USA South) also held a decisive 51-32 edge in rebounds as eight players, including Daniels (eight rebounds), had at least four rebounds in the win. Sydney Austin quarterbacked the offense with a game-high five assists.
First-year standout Aubrey Slaughter led the way for the Spirits (0-19, 0-12 USA South) with 17 points and 11 rebounds, recording her fourth double-double of the season. Slaughter knocked down 7-of-20 from the floor and came through with five offensive boards in the setback. She was joined in double figure scoring by Dionne Sampson, who came through with 10 points.
With their offensive clicking on all cylinders coming into the third quarter of play, the Pacers opened the second half on an 11-0 run that was capped off by a Sanders layup. Slaughter and Lauren Privette scored back-to-back layups for Salem, making for a 52-29 contest, but it was not enough to derail the William Peace offense which allowed just five points over the remainder of the half as the Pacers lead 66-34 through three complete.
The Pacers surrendered just two points in the first 2:45 of the fourth as they established a 77-36 advantage. Alize Brooks knocked down a jumper and Sydney Bowen added five points, including a 3-pointer which came on a pass from Privette, as Salem made it an 82-43 contest at the 3:36 mark. Sampson would singlehandedly score the final five points for the Spirits, who slipped to 0-8 on the road this season.
The two teams battled throughout the opening frame with Salem grabbing a 3-2 lead in the early stages when Slaughter followed up a missed attempt by Bowen at the 7:25 mark. William Peace moved in front 7-3, but back-to-back conversions by Slaughter trimmed the lead to 9-7 with 1:05 remaining. Privette scored the final two points of the frame for the Spirits, who trailed 11-9 after one.
The Pacers distanced themselves in the second quarter, using a 9-3 run in the first 2:32 to opening up a 20-12 lead following a layup by Baker. Brooks briefly cut the deficit to six, but William Peace answered by scoring seven of the next nine points to establish a 27-16 lead. Sampson knocked down two free throws at the 2:55 mark, slicing the Pacers' lead to 33-20, but William Peace would close out the half by scoring eight of the next 13 points and take a 41-25 lead into the intermission.
The Spirits conclude the two-game, two-day stretch by facing N.C. Wesleyan at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2.