MEISENHEIMER, N.C. – Salem's Tamsi Echendu capped off a double-double performance against USA South Conference rival Pfeiffer with 15 points and 14 rebounds despite Salem suffering an 80-65 setback in Meisenheimer, N.C. on Saturday, December 18th. Echendu became the first person since Aubrey Slaughter, who had 17 points and 15 rebounds at William Peace on February 1, 2020, to notch a double-double for the Spirits.

Echendu was efficient throughout the game, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor, while grabbing seven offensive and seven defensive rebounds. She also tallied three steals and handed out two assists. Tyler Davenport led the way for Salem (1-8, 0-4 USA South) in scoring with 17 points, knocking down 3-of-5 field goals and 11-of-14 free throws.

Davenport was active on the glass with six rebounds, as was teammate Alize Munn, who capped off her collegiate debut with nine points, six rebounds (three offensive) and two steals. Salem closed the game by hitting 22-of-54 from the floor (40.7%) and 20-of-34 (58.8%) at the free throw line.

Pfeiffer (4-5, 1-3 USA South) had four players in double figures, including Mya Johnson (14 points), Brina Bentley (12), Alexus Boyd (12) and Mara Ochoa-Contreras (11). The Falcons received a team-high seven rebounds from Bentley and were held to 5-of-21 (23.8%) from 3-point range and 22-of-62 (35.5%) from the field. The best shooting performance (31-of-45) came from the free throw line, where Pfeiffer hit 68.9 percent.

Alize Brooks helped Salem establish a 6-3 lead at the 7:50 mark of the opening frame, but the Falcons answered with a 7-0 run to assume the four-point lead on a Makalla Burnette free throw at 6:31. The Spirits moved within one point of the lead on two occasions over the remainder of the opening half, but Pfeiffer snagged the 17-11 lead on a jumper by Johnson with 1:58 left and allowed just three points to lead through one quarter.

Pfeiffer put together a 5-1 run to open the second quarter before Munn drove through the lane at the 8:04 mark, resulting in the first Spirits' field goal of the frame. A 9-2 run by the Falcons stretched the lead to double figures, 31-19, following a 3-pointer by Jahlea Peters. The streaky Falcons stretched their advantage to 41-22 behind a pair of free throws by Ochoa-Contreras. Kyana Thomas and Echendu provided the final four Salem points of the half as Pfeiffer built a 47-26 lead at the intermission.

Echendu was the spark to the Salem offense in the third quarter, scoring a team-best six points as she finished 3-of-3 from the floor. Davenport added four for the Spirits, who netted 17 points. Despite a combined 10 points from the top two offensive performers, Salem was unable to cut into the lead as the Falcons owned a 70-43 lead heading into the fourth.

Munn delivered seven points for Salem in the final quarter, by virtue of a 3-of-3 performance from the floor. Davenport had a team-high eight points for the Spirits, finishing 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, resulting in a 22-point fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Salem defense limited the Falcons to 1-of-10 shooting from the floor and 10 points.

Salem moved to within 15 following a layup by Munn at the 3:07 mark. Salem would eventually trim the deficit to 13, 78-65, with 58 seconds remaining. However, the Falcons picked up their six wins in the all-time series and fourth in Meisenheimer.

Salem returns to action on Wednesday, December 29th to host Bridgewater (Va.) at 6 p.m. at Varsity Gym.