WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem basketball team makes a brief return to Varsity Gym on Wednesday, December 29th, when it hosts Bridgewater at 6 p.m. Two days later, Salem will head to Greensboro to square off against Guilford, marking the final non-conference games of the season.

The contest marks the first home game for Salem since November 23rd, when N.C. Wesleyan paid a visit to Winston-Salem.

DIVING INTO SALEM'S STATISTICS: The Spirits are led offensively by the tandem of Tyler Davenport (100 points) and Cree Bass (72), while Dionne Sampson and Kyana Thomas are responsible for 69 points apiece. Davenport has knocked down 23-of-62 from the floor and 51-of-67 at the free throw line in seven games for Salem. She has also pulled down 34 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass.

Bass is hitting 24-of-69 (34.8%) from the field, including a team-high 12-of-37 (32.4%) at the 3-point line. She has handed out 15 assists, two short of teammate Alize Brooks' 17. Bass also has been a force on the boards with 40 rebounds, second-most on the team, while forcing a team-high 15 steals.

Tamsi Echendu tops the team on the boards with 59 rebounds, hauling in 21 on the offensive glass and 38 defensive, both team highs. Lauren Privette leads Salem with 10 blocks.

BRIDGEWATER ANALYSIS: The Eagles bring a 4-4 record into their clash with Salem on Wednesday, winning just one game on the road this season. That victory (77-54) came at Virginia Wesleyan on November 17th.

The top scorers on the Bridgewater unit are Jaden Alsberry and Erika Nettles, who have scored 98 and 95 points, respectively. Alsberry is hitting 42-of-89 (47.2%) from the floor, while Nettles is 38-of-67 from the field and 18-of-28 at the free throw line.

Alsberry also tops the team in rebounds with 57, including 22 on the offensive glass, and blocks (14). She has dished out 12 assists and forced 10 steals along the way. Kelsie Huffman leads the unit with 23 steals and Julia Williams' 18 assists is also a team-high.

All-Time Series (vs. Bridgewater)
Series tied 1-1

GUILFORD BREAKDOWN: The Quakers (2-6) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 72-40 win over Apprentice on December 11th. One day before facing Salem, Guilford will head to Fayetteville, N.C., to face off against Methodist.

First-year head coach Sarah Matthews' unit is led on offense by Lindsay Gauldin, who has 129 points by virtue of hitting 40-of-98 from the floor and 44-of-55 at the free throw line, both team highs. Gauldin has also converted a team-high 5-of-17 from 3-point range.

Abby Kennedy anchors the post with 53 rebounds, grabbing 25 on the offensive glass, while converting a team-best seven blocks.

All-Time Series (vs. Guilford)
Guilford leads series 7-0