WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem basketball team looks to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak when the Spirits open USA South Conference action against N.C. Wesleyan on Tuesday, November, 23rd at 6 p.m. in Varsity Gym.
Since posting a six-point win over Virginia Wesleyan on November 13th, its last home contest, the Spirits dropped back-to-back road contests to Emory & Henry (73-62) and Warren Wilson (69-58) over the course of the last week.
SPIRITS SEEKING USA SOUTH WIN: Salem is looking to capture its first USA South Conference victory since defeating Methodist by a 78-66 margin on January 16, 2019. The Spirits are also looking to snag their first league win in a USA South Conference opener since they defeated Meredith by a 75-52 margin on November 26, 2017.
SALEM NUMBERS THROUGH FOUR GAMES: Tyler Davenport tops the Spirits lineup statistically in points (55), field goals made (14) and free throws made (26) through the first four games of the season. Davenport is followed in scoring by the duo of Alize Brooks (34) and Kyana Thomas (30). Cree Bass leads the way for Salem in 3-point field goals made with four.
Davenport has proved to be an all-around force for the Spirits, tying teammate Tamsi Echendu for the team lead in rebounds (20). Davenport has snagged eight offensive boards along the way, while Echendu has six to her credit. Thomas leads all Salem players with nine offensive rebounds. The defense has been sparked by Alize Brooks' eight steals.
ANALYZING N.C. WESLEYAN: The Battling Bishops opened the season with a pair of wins over Mid-Atlantic Christian (81-36) and Huntingdon (71-64), before suffering four straight losses at the hands of Piedmont, Lynchburg, Virginia Wesleyan and Mary Washington in succession.
N.C. Wesleyan is 1-2 on the road in the early season, which came to Piedmont and Mid-Atlantic Christian.
The top individual offensive performers for the Battling Bishops are Kayla Johnson and Kayrisma Harrison, who have 76 and 71 points, respectively. Harrison leads the unit with 31 field goals and Johnson is a close second with 29. Meanwhile, Myesha Best has accrued the most 3-pointers (11), while teammate Keorra Taylor is responsible for 20 free throws.
Harrison anchors the post for N.C. Wesleyan with a team-high 67 rebounds, including 28 offensive boards, forcing 12 steals and four blocks along the way. Nadia Simmons is second with 33 rebounds, while Deonna Adams has forced 11 steals for the Battling Bishops.
All-Time Series (vs. N.C. Wesleyan)
N.C. Wesleyan leads series 10-2
| Date | Year | Opponent | Result | Salem | Opp. |
| N20 | 2007 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan | L | 56 | 80 |
| N15 | 2008 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan | L | 41 | 55 |
| J6 | 2008 | at N.C. Wesleyan | L | 57 | 69 |
| J14 | 2009 | at N.C. Wesleyan | L | 57 | 67 |
| F4 | 2010 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan | W | 84 | 68 |
| J7 | 2018 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan * | L | 66 | 71 |
| F14 | 2018 | at N.C. Wesleyan # | L | 63 | 66 |
| J6 | 2019 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan * | L | 74 | 81 |
| J20 | 2018 | at N.C. Wesleyan * | W | 84 | 71 |
| D4 | 2019 | vs. N.C. Wesleyan * | L | 59 | 80 |
| J27 | 2019 | at N.C. Wesleyan * | L | 58 | 89 |
| F2 | 2020 | at N.C. Wesleyan * | L | 36 | 111 |
