Site: Winston-Salem, N.C. / Varsity Gym

Score: Southern Virginia 78, Salem 55

Records: Southern Virginia (6-7, 5-2 USA South) / Salem (1-12, 0-6 USA South)

Next Games:
Salem at Methodist | January 13 | March F. Riddle Ctr. | Fayetteville, N.C. | 7 p.m.
Salem at N.C. Wesleyan | January 14 | Everett Gymnasium |Rocky Mount, N.C. | 2:00 p.m.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Southern Virginia received three double-digit scoring performances, including 15 each from Abigail Snyder and reserve Alyssa McKrola, as the Knights earned a 78-55 victory in USA South Conference action over Salem at Varsity Gym on Tuesday evening.

Two players topped the double figure point plateau for Salem, Dionne Sampson (14) and Tamsi Echendu (12), while Alize Munn added nine and Cree Bass came through with eight. Salem finished the contest by hitting 18-of-53 (34%) from the floor, capitalizing on 17-of-32 (53.1%) at the free throw line.

Sampson led all Salem shooters by hitting 5-of-14 from the floor, while Echendu converted 6-of-10 at the free throw line to lead the Spirits in that statistical category.

Echendu also climbed the boards for nine rebounds (four offensive), while Sampson highlighted the Spirits' defensive effort with four steals. Munn was also active with two blocks.

Southern Virginia's offense was solid throughout the game, hitting 35-of-71 (49.3%) from the floor, scoring 48 points in the paint.

FIRST QUARTER
Salem capitalized on its defensive efforts, along with a layup from Sampson, to establish a 5-2 lead in the first 2:13 of the contest. The Knights rallied and scored seven unanswered to assume a four-point lead, but Sampson halted the drought with a layup for the Spirits. With the two teams separated by just two points, 9-7, Southern Virginia closed out the first half on a 15-1 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Abigail Snyder at the buzzer, to lead 24-8.

SECOND QUARTER
The sharpshooting continued for Southern Virginia in the second quarter, where they hit 12-of-20 (60%) from the field. However, Salem also responded with an 11-point quarter, hitting 5-of-16 (31.3%) from the field. The Knights extended the first quarter advantage to 30-9 before Sampson put Salem into double figures with a layup. Bass and Cristina Battistini had consecutive buckets to trim the margin to 36-15, but Southern Virginia ended the half on a 13-4 run to lead 49-19 at the break.

THIRD QUARTER
Salem came through with nine free throws in the third quarter, scoring 15 overall in the frame, but the Knights held their own as they finished 7-of-18 from the floor and stretched the lead to 65-34. The offensive leaders for Salem were Echendu and Sampson, who scored five points each.

FOURTH QUARTER
The Spirits capped off the game with their best quarter of the contest, outscoring Southern Virginia by a 21-13 margin. In the frame, Salem was 7-of-11 (63.6%) from the floor and 5-of-11 (45.5%) at the free throw line. Echendu led all scorers with seven points and Bass added five to help Salem offensively.

SALEM QUICK NOTES
-The Spirits capped off the game with their best quarter of the contest, outscoring Southern Virginia by a 21-13 margin.
-Two players topped the double figure point plateau for Salem, Dionne Sampson (14) and Tamsi Echendu (12)
-Sampson led all Salem shooters by hitting 5-of-14 from the floor, while Echendu converted 6-of-10 at the free throw line to lead the Spirits in that statistical category.
-Sampson has reached double figure scoring in 11 of 13 games this season.