Site: Fayetteville, N.C. / March F. Riddle Center
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 72, Salem 37
Records: Methodist (10-5, 6-2 USA South) / Salem (1-14, 0-8 USA South)
Next Games: Salem at Meredith | January 18 | Raleigh, N.C. | 6:00 p.m.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — N.C. Wesleyan bookended a 72-37 victory over Salem with 20 points in the first and fourth quarter as the Battling Bishops picked up their 10th win of the season. The Spirits received a pair of double-digit point performances from Dionne Sampson (14) and Tamsi Echendu (10), who also delivered 11 rebounds in the USA South Conference setback.
The Echendu double-double marks her first of the 2022-23 campaign and her first since a victory over William Peace (92-83) on February 12, 2022. Echendu hit 3-of-5 from the floor, adding four shots from the free throw line, to close with 10 points. She also snagged seven defensive rebounds, resulting in her second double-digit rebounding performance of the season.
Sampson led all Salem scorers with 14 points, hitting 6-of-21 from the floor, while forcing two steals. Sarah Nelson, making her second straight start, closed with six points and four rebounds, draining a pair of 3-pointers in the contest.
N.C. Wesleyan had three players in double figures, including Areina Harris, who came through with 14 points. Kayrisma Harrison delivered a double-double for the Battling Bishops (12 rebs. / 10 pts.), while Destiney Bell came off the bench to score 13 points.
FIRST QUARTER
Salem recovered from an early 6-2 deficit to even the game at six-all following a pair of free throws by Echendu. The two teams continued to battle for the lead, reaching a nine-all deadlock with a 3-pointer from Nelson, but N.C. Wesleyan closed out the frame on an 11-2 run to lead 20-11. Salem's best shooting performance in the quarter came at the free throw line, where the Spirits were 4-of-4. N.C. Wesleyan countered by knocking 8-of-15 (53.3%) from the floor, draining two 3-pointers.
SECOND QUARTER
Both teams struggled to find an offensive flow in the second quarter with N.C. Wesleyan coming through with a 13-10 edge in scoring against the Spirits. After building a 28-13 lead in the first 3:30 of the frame, Sampson and Echendu came through with a series of buckets to make for a 33-18 contest. Nelson drove home the final three points of the frame with 15 seconds remaining for a 33-21 halftime score.
THIRD QUARTER
The Spirits came through with 10 points in the third, connecting on four shots throughout the 10-minute period, while N.C. Wesleyan stretched its lead to 52-31. Eight different Battling Bishops scored in the third quarter, including Deonna Adams and Kaniya Cromartie, who tallied four each. N.C. Wesleyan closed 8-of-14 (57.1%) from the field and added three free throws for the 19-point quarter. Sampson and Echendu combined for seven of Salem's 10 points, while Alize Brooks added three.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Battling Bishops distanced themselves from Salem with a 20-point fourth quarter, where they hit 6-of-15 from the field and were a perfect 7-of-7 at the charity stripe. Destiney Bell led all scorers with eight points off the bench for the Battling Bishops, while Sampson scored five of the six Salem points by hitting 2-of-6 from the floor.
SALEM QUICK NOTES
-Tamsi Echendu's double-double marks her first of the 2022-23 campaign and her first since a victory over William Peace (92-83) on February 12, 2022. -Echendu shared the team lead in total rebounds (eight) with Dionne Sampson and Christina Battistini. Both Battistini and Sampson hauled in five defensive rebounds apiece.
-Dionne Sampson led all Salem scorers with 14 points, hitting 6-of-21 from the floor, while forcing two steals.
- Sarah Nelson, making her second straight start, closed with six points and four rebounds, draining a pair of 3-pointers in the contest.