Site: Greensboro, N.C. / Hanes Gym
Score: Greensboro 109, Salem 68
Records: Greensboro (24-2) / Salem (3-20)
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Audrey Jennings poured in a game-high 31 points, hitting 12-of-17 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, while teammate Ta'Kera Leggette added 20 points, to lead Greensboro to a 109-68 victory over Salem in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Tuesday, February 21st, when the two teams clashed at Hanes Gymnasium.
Salem, which made its first appearance in the USA South Conference postseason tournament since 2018, was led by the duo of Dionne Sampson (21 points) and Cree Bass, who came through with 13 rebounds. It marked Sampson's 20th double-digit scoring performance of the season and the third time that she tallied at least 20 in a contest for Salem. Tamsi Echendu was also key for Salem with her fourth double-double of the season (11 points / 11 rebounds) and second in as many games, while teammate Alize Munn emerged with 13 points.
The Spirits closed out the game by hitting 26-of-69 (37.7%) from the floor and were successful on 15-of-24 (62.5%) free throw attempts, grabbing 39 blocks along the way. Meanwhile, Greensboro countered that by converting 40-of-80 (50%) from the floor, 14-of-26 (53.8%) from 3-point range and was 15-of-23 (65.2%) at the free throw line.
FIRST QUARTER
The Pride established a 36-12 lead after the first quarter, hitting 12-of-24 from the field and draining five 3-pointers along the way. Greensboro bolted out to a 16-2 advantage in the first 3:11 of the contest, but Echendu converted a three-point play to make for an 11-point Pride lead. The Pride answered with a 10-0 run, capped off by a pair of Quadijah Moore free throws, assuming a 26-5 advantage. Dionne Sampson drained a 3-pointer to put Salem into double figures, 36-12, with 1:09 left in the frame
SECOND QUARTER
Salem had its largest point production of the contest in the second period, finishing with 25 points by virtue of a 12-of-19 (63.2%) shooting performance from the floor. Both teams scored eight points inside the first 2:32 of the quarter, with Munn delivering the eighth point for the Spirits. Minnie Griffin scored a layup to keep the margin within 20 points, 51-31, with 4:24 remaining. Greensboro followed that with a 14-6 run, capped off by a jumper from Jennings before the intermission, resulting in a 65-37 lead at the intermission.
THIRD QUARTER
The Pride equaled their first quarter scoring output in the third, outscoring Salem 32-18 in the frame, to push the lead to 99-57. Greensboro managed to hit 12-of-24 from the floor, along with 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, to stretch its lead. Bass converted the first Salem field goal at the 8:42 mark, making for a 69-39 score, but Greensboro retaliated with a 14-4 run of its own, capped off by a Jennings layup with 5:04 left. Munn drove through the lane to deliver Salem's 50th point of the frame, but Greensboro sat three points shy of the century mark after a 3-pointer from Jennings at the close of the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Salem closed out the game by outscoring The Pride 13-12 in the fourth. Tamera Hooker provided the 100th point for Greensboro with the first bucket of the frame, but Munn and Bass combined for three points for Salem. Sampson scored six points for Salem down the stretch, including the final field goal of the night for the Spirits.
SALEM QUICK NOTES
-The Spirits closed out the game by hitting 26-of-69 (37.7%) from the floor and were successful on 15-of-24 (62.5%) free throw attempts, grabbing 39 blocks along the way.
-Salem concludes its first season under the direction of head coach Sharee Boyd.
-Salem, which made its first appearance in the USA South Conference postseason tournament since 2018, was led by the duo of Dionne Sampson (21 points) and Cree Bass, who came through with 13 rebounds.
-It marked Sampson's 20th double-digit scoring performance of the season and the third time that she tallied at least 20 in a contest for Salem.
-Tamsi Echendu was also key for Salem with her fourth double-double of the season (11 points / 11 rebounds) and second in as many games, while teammate Alize Munn emerged with 13 points.