Salem vs. N.C. Wesleyan | January 4 | Varsity Gym | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 6 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT (vs. Ferrum)
Ferrum capitalized on a pair of double-digit performances from Trina Lewis (21 points) and Aisha Martin (13), along with 10 rebounds from Lewis, to emerge with a 66-47 victory in Salem's non-conference finale on Friday, December 30th.
The backcourt tandem of Alize Brooks and Dionne Sampson tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively, to lead the way offensively for Salem, while teammate Minnie Griffin poured in 10 points off the bench to complete the double-digit performances. Savanah Atkins anchored the middle with 10 rebounds (five offensive), leading the way for a unit that tallied 37 rebounds.
Salem struggled to find its offensive rhythm, hitting just 14-of-64 (21.9%) from the floor, but did knock down 16-of-27 from the free throw line in the contest.
SALEM COMPLETES NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
The Spirits completed the non-conference portion of their 2022-23 schedule with a pair of contests against Guilford (Dec. 29) and Ferrum (Dec. 30).
Salem was 1-6 against non-conference opposition, claiming the victory (87-66) in the season-opener against Warren Wilson on November 8th.
The Spirits played three USA South Conference opponents inside the first two months of the season, suffering setbacks to Methodist (72-65), Southern Virginia (76-53) and Brevard (96-84).
SERIES RECAP WITH THE BATTLING BISHOPS
N.C. Wesleyan heads to Winston-Salem to face Salem for the 15th time in program history and eighth time at Varsity Gym.
The Battling Bishops own a 12-2 advantage in the all-time series, winning their last five consecutive games, dating back to an 80-59 victory on December 4, 2019. The five-game winning streak marks the longest streak by either team in the head-to-head series.
N.C. Wesleyan is 6-1 at Varsity Gym, suffering its last setback in the Camel City on February 4, 2010, when Salem emerged victorious 84-68.
LOOKING TO RETURN TO WIN COLUMN IN LEAGUE PLAY
Salem is looking to halt a four-game losing streak in USA South Conference action that dates back to February 16, 2022. The last win against a league opponent for the Spirits came on four days prior to the 106-55 setback to Southern Virginia, when Salem defeated William Peace 92-83 in overtime.
In that clash against William Peace, Dionne Sampson was the catalyst for a Salem offense that had five players reach double figures Sampson became the first player since Tyler Davenport (Feb. 4, 2018) to eclipse the 30-point mark for Salem and just the seventh player in the NCAA history of the program with a 30-point outing.
Sampson not only established a career-high in points, but she also set a career-high mark for steals (12), capping off her first double-double and joining Tyler Davenport and Tamsi Echendu as the only players in 2021-22 to record a double-double. She was joined in double figures by Davenport and Alize Brooks, who tallied 15 apiece, Alize Munn (11) and Echendu (10). The victory moves Salem to 4-19 overall and 3-14 in USA South play.
Sampson finished 13-of-24 (54.2%) from the floor in her performance, knocking down 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. She highlighted a Salem lineup that finished 37-of-89 (41.6%) from the floor and 15-of-25 (60%) from the free throw line. The Spirits also owned a 52-44 advantage on the glass, grabbing 31 defensive rebounds.
STATISTICAL LEADERS FOR THE SPIRITS
Salem's offense is led by the tandem of Dionne Sampson (118 points) and Alize Munn (109). Sampson tops the team in scoring due in large part to hitting 43-of-58 (74.1%) at the free throw line, while converting 35-of-113 from the floor.
Sampson has catapulted herself into the scoring lead for Salem with six consecutive double-digit scoring performances. The streak began with an 11-point outing against Methodist (Nov. 22) and included a single-game season-high 17 points at Brevard on December 3rd.
Munn is responsible for the most field goals on the unit this season (48), adding 13 from the free throw line.
The top 3-point marksman on the team is Cree Bass, who has knocked down 10-of-41 from beyond the arc, while Minnie Griffin is second by hitting 7-of-20 from long distance.
Tamsi Echendu's 58 rebounds, including 26 on the offensive glass, leads the way for Salem in the post. However, Munn is one rebound from tying the mark with 57 to her credit this season. Munn has climbed the glass for a team-high 34 rebounds this season while making 11 blocks along the way, a team-high.
Sampson and Bass have integrated their teammates the most in the Salem offense this season, handing out 29 and 25 assists, respectively. Sampson has also made her presence felt defensively with 19 steals, a team-high.
BREAKING DOWN THE BATTLING BISHOPS
N.C. Wesleyan (6-4, 2-1 USA South) looks to establish its longest winning streak of the season (four games), after ending the 2022 calendar year with three straight triumphs over Mary Baldwin (77-44), Virginia Wesleyan (72-54) and Lynchburg (61-57).
The Battling Bishops have maintained a well-balanced scoring attack, which includes Nadia Simmons (97 points), Areina Harris (75), Johnay Goddard (72), Kaniya Cromartie (67) and Corynthian Williams (64).
Simmons leads all scorers by hitting 40-of-75 (53.3%) from the floor and ranks second (16-of-23) in free throws made. Williams is the top free throw shooter in the Battling Bishops' lineup (18-of-25), while Harris is tops among 3-pointer shooters (14-of-52).
The tandem of Cromartie and Goddard, who have 65 and 57 rebounds, respectively, have helped give N.C. Wesleyan a 406-311 advantage in rebounds this season.
Best's 31 assists lead the way for the Battling Bishops, while Deonna Adams is second with 24 and Simmons is third on the unit in assists with 21. The tandem of Simmons and Adams are also making their presence felt defensively with 15 steals apiece, while Cromartie and Kayrisma Harrison have come through with a team-high 11 blocks.