WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Cree Bass scored a game-high 18 points and was joined in double figures by teammates Dionne Sampson and Tyler Davenport, who scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, to help Salem earn a 74-61 USA South Conference victory over visiting Averett on Senior Day at Varsity Gym.
Bass, who finished 7-of-8 from the floor and converted two 3-pointers in the process, led the offense for a Salem unit that finished the game by hitting 26-of-58 (44.8%) from the floor and 7-of-18 (38.9%) from beyond the arc. The Spirits, who improved to 3-16 overall and 2-12 in league action were also 15-of-20 (75%) from the free throw line.
Sampson emerged with 16 points after connecting on 5-of-11 field goals, draining a pair of 3-pointers, while finishing a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. Davenport reached double figures behind a 6-of-10 performance at the free throw line. Alize Munn capped off a solid performance with eight rebounds and six points, while Lauren Privette came through with four blocks for the Salem defense. The Spirits' defensive efforts resulted in 25-14 points off turnovers advantage over Averett.
Averett (4-15, 4-9 USA South) opened the second half on a 9-2 run, trimming the Salem lead to 40-28 with a 3-pointer by Rana Robinson-Davis. The Cougars would eventually get to within 11, but a timely trey by Munn resulted in a 47-34 advantage for Salem. With 2:41 remaining, Munn delivered a jump shot to, stretching the lead to 14, as the Spirits lead by 56-38 at the conclusion of the third.
The Salem lead ballooned to 19, following a 3-pointer from Davenport at the 9:31 mark of the fourth quarter. The Spirits moved in front by 20 for a bulk of the quarter with Averett slicing that margin to 19 following a layup from Talia Prosper. The Cougars eventually trimmed that margin to 16, 73-57, again on the hand of Prosper. However, Averett would not get the margin under double figures.
Salem grabbed an 18-4 advantage through the first quarter, capitalizing on a 7-of-14 (50%) shooting performance from the floor. Salem streaked out to a 13-0 lead and never looked back. The Spirits also managed to knock down a pair of 3-pointers, including Alize Brooks' half court bank to close out the frame. While the offense was clicking on all cylinders, the defense limited Averett to 2-of-15 shooting (13.3%) from the field. Brooks came off the bench to finish with six points, while Cree Bass added four of her own, knocking down both field goals in the process.
The hot-shooting performance continued for Salem in the second half, where the Spirits finished 7-of-21 (33.3%) from the floor and were a perfect 4-of-4 at the charity stripe. Dionne Sampson was the primary source of offense, scoring eight, while Bass added four off the bench. Sampson drove home a 3-pointer with 4:06 left in the quarter, extending the lead to 36-10, but an 11-2 run to close the frame allowed Averett to pull within 15 at the intermission.
The Spirits return to the court on Sunday, when they make the short trip to Greensboro to complete the regular season series with The Pride at 4 p.m. at Hanes Gym.
