WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem basketball team begins its longest road stretch of the season on Tuesday, November 30th when it heads to Fayetteville, N.C., for a clash with USA South Conference foe Methodist at 7 p.m.

The Spirits (1-4, 0-1 USA South) are looking to capture their first USA South Conference victory since defeating Methodist by a 78-66 margin on January 16, 2019.

ECHENDU CAPTURES FIRST USA SOUTH R.O.W AWARD: Salem first-year center Tamsi Echendu became the first player in program history to earn USA South Rookie of the Week honors on Monday, when the league recognized her for her 10-point, eight-rebound performance against N.C. Wesleyan on November 23rd.

Echendu becomes the first player in Salem basketball history to earn a Player of the Week distinction in the USA South Conference. The last individual to earn a Player of the Week award for the Spirits is Echendu's coach, Quntashea Lewis, who was named Great South Player of the Week on February 14, 2016.

In Salem's only game last week, Echendu logged 21 minutes and finished 5-of-6 from the floor. She anchored the post for the Spirits with a team-high eight rebounds, grabbing a team-high five offensive rebounds along the way. She was also responsible for one of Salem's eight steals in the contest.

BREAKING DOWN THE LINEUP: Tyler Davenport tops the Salem lineup in scoring with 72 points, hitting 18-of-49 from the floor and 33-of-43 at the charity stripe through the first five games of the slate. Davenport, who has reached double figures in all five games, is followed closely in scoring by Kyana Thomas (44 points) and Dionne Sampson (37 points).

Cree Bass is the top 3-point shooter on the Salem squad with five to her credit. That is two more than the trio of Davenport, Thomas and Sampson. Meanwhiile, Alize Brooks has sparked the team with eight assists.

Tamsi Echendu is one of five Salem players with at least 20 rebounds, leading the unit with 28 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass. The combination of Bass, Davenport and Thomas all have 23 rebounds, while Sampson has pulled down 21 boards. Thomas leads all Salem rebounders with 13 offensive rebounds.

METHODIST ANALYSIS: The Monarchs close out the month of November with Salem, and are 1-4 on the season and 1-1 in USA South action following a split with Mary Baldwin (W, 53-43) and William Peace (L, 74-73).

Methodist won its lone game at home, which came against the Fighting Squirrels on November 20th.

Kiley Hicks leads the Monarchs' lineup with 42 points, hitting 18-of-36 from the floor and 6-of-9 at the charity stripe. Teammate Jessica Drake is second with 37 points, connecting on 12-of-23 field goals and eight 3-pointers along the way. Drake is tied with Jillian Peterson for most 3-point field goal conversions.

Rebecca McGaughnea is tops on the team in rebounds (30), with Hicks leading the way in offensive boards with 11. McGaughnea is also responsible for the most free throw conversions (10) by a Monarch through the first month of the slate.

SERIES VERSUS MONARCHS: Salem is looking to snap a three-game losing streak against the Monarchs that dates back to a 71-51 victory on February 6, 2019. The Spirits won four straight in the series between November 15, 2016 and January 16, 2019. Methodist holds a 12-5 edge in the all-time series that dates back to November 29, 2008.

All-Time Series (vs. Methodist)
(Methodist leads 12-5)