SALEM, W.Va. (Nov. 25) – The Tigers were defeated 74-62 by West Virginia Wesleyan in non-conference play Wednesday night in the home opener at the T.Edward Davis Gymnasium.

The loss sends the Salem International men's basketball team to 1-3 overall, while the Bobcats improve to 4-1 this season.

Junior Victor Blakey (Suitland, Md./Friendly) led the team with 18 points, shooting 67 percent (6 of 9) from the field, with seven assists and four rebounds. Sophomore Gerard Tarin (Fort Myers, Fla./East Lee County) tallied 15 points and four blocks, while junior Conrad Etchi (Burtonsville, Md./James H. Blake) finished with 11 points, two blocks and two steals.

The two teams exchanged the lead often in the first half before the Tigers took a three point lead, 24-21, on a dunk by junior Lamonte Fields (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) with 3:53 remaining in the first half, but West Virginia Wesleyan followed with an 11-2 run to close out the half and take a 32-26 lead into the locker rooms.

The Bobcats added to their lead with a 10-4 spurt to open the second half to take a 42-30 lead with 16:05 remaining in the contest. Salem International made a push by outscoring West Virginia Wesleyan 8-2 over the next three minutes, including an alley-oop dunk by Tarin, to make the score 44-38 with 12:42 to play, but the Tigers did not get any closer. The Bobcats outscored Salem International over the final 12 minutes to earn the win.

The Tigers shot 56 percent (25 of 45) compared to the 42 percent (25 of 59) posted by West Virginia Wesleyan, but held a 21-to-2 advantage in second-chance points. The Bobcats out-rebounded Salem International (39 to 21) and finished with 21 offensive rebounds in the game.

West Virginia Wesleyan was led by Tanner McGrew, who registered a double-double with 18 points and 21 rebounds. Chris Dewberry led the Bobcats in scoring with 24 points, including six three-point shots.

The Tigers head to Michigan Saturday, Nov. 28 to take on perennial power Grand Valley State at 2 p.m.