SALEM, W.Va. (Dec. 12) - The Tigers used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 62-53 win over Bluefield State Saturday evening at the Joe Manchin Classic at the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.
The Salem International University women's basketball team has now strung a pair of wins together to improve to 2-8 this season, while the Blues fall to 1-8 overall.
Senior
Samantha Aiken (Hilton Head Island, S.C./Hilton Head) led the Tigers with 19 points in the game. For her efforts, Aiken was named the Joe Manchin Classic Most Valuable Player. Freshman Jiana Flood-Francis (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Mifflin) and junior
Franchessca Gill (Chicago, Ill./St. Francis de Sales) each chipped in 11 points in the win. Flood-Francis finished the game with a team-high 10 steals to earn an untraditional double-double.
The game entered halftime all squared up at 25 apiece, when the Tigers made their run to control the game. After allowing the opening basket, Salem International went on a 13-1 run to open up a 38-28 lead with 3:49 left in the third quarter. The Blues chipped the lead away to six, 40-34, over the next minute, but the Tigers managed to out-score Bluefield State 9-5 over the final two minutes to take a 49-39 lead into the final quarter. The Blues were unable to rally, giving Salem International its second win of the season.
Both team's struggled from the field, with the Tigers shooting 24 of 85 (28 percent) and Bluefield State finishing 16 of 45 (35 percent). Salem International defensively harassed the Blues all game, forcing 42 turnovers with 23 steals.
The Tigers are back on the court with an exhibition at Division I Youngstown State on Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
WOMEN'S ALL-JOE MANCHIN CLASSIC TEAMHanna Mitchell (Ohio Valley)
Sarah Boner (Rio Grande)
Tanasia Blake (Bluefield State)
Tierra Richburg (Bluefield State)
Keishla Gilmore (Salem International)
WOMEN'S JOE MANCHIN CLASSIC MVP:Samantha Aiken (Salem International)
