CEDARVILLE, Ohio (Feb. 19) – Despite holding the rebounding margin, the Tigers were defeated 103-72 by Cedarville University at the Callan Athletic Center.
 
The loss drops the Salem International men's basketball team to 3-18 overall, 1-10 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets improve to 7-5 in conference play, 11-15 overall.
 
Senior Tyler Bell (Kalamazoo, Mich.) led Salem International with 23 points, converting nine-of-16 attempts from the field, and totaled four rebounds. Senior Matt Thomas (Harlem, N.Y.) chipped in 13, while freshman Gerard Tarin (Fort Myers, Fla.) registered a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
A layup by senior Abel Tillman (St. Louis, Mo.) gave the Tigers a 13-9 lead with 14:06 remaining in the first half. The host Yellow Jackets responded with a 22-6 run to take a 35-19 lead with 7:22 left until halftime, but Salem International narrow the deficit to 12, 47-35, heading into the break.
 
Thomas helped the Tigers pull within nine, 49-40, with 18:15 left in the game, but Salem International did not get any closer. Cedarville controlled play in the second half en route to the victory.
 
Despite holding a slight edge in rebounds (40-37), the Tigers only converted seven of their 16 free-throw attempts. Conversely, the Yellow Jackets were 19-of-25 from the charity stripe.
 
Cedarville was led by Jason Cuffee, who finished with a game-high 24 points, which included six-of-nine from three-point range. The Yellow Jackets connected on 16-of-34 attempts from long range as a team.
 
Salem International returns to the court Saturday, Feb. 21, when they take on G-MAC opponent Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio. The opening-tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.