SALEM, W.Va. (Jan. 21) – The Tigers were handed a 73-52 loss by Alderson Broaddus in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play Thursday evening.
The loss sends the Salem International University women's basketball team to 2-15 overall, 0-5 in league play. Meanwhile, the Battlers improve to 3-2 in the G-MAC, 5-11 overall.
Senior
Alexus Cooper (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) registered a double-double with career-highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive) in the game. The Virginia native shot 62 percent (8 of 13) from the field and added two steals to her final line. Freshman
Imari Bowers (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) posted her second-consecutive double-figures performance with 12 points in the loss.
Salem International came out with a lot of energy to start the game. The Tigers held the lead on a few occasions and trailed 14-13 heading into the second period. Freshman
Veronica Chea (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) converted a lay-in with 9:37 left in the first half to give Salem International a 15-14 lead, but Alderson Broaddus followed with 11-unanswered to take a 25-15 lead with 8:06 until halftime.
After exchanging baskets, the Tigers rallied with seven-unanswered of their own, capped off by a Bowers three-pointer to pull within two, 32-30, with four minutes remaining in the first half. The Battlers rebuilt their lead to eight to take a 40-32 lead into the locker rooms.
Salem International fell behind 48-37 six minutes into the second half, but nine-unanswered points pulled the team back within two, 48-46, with 1:24 remaining in the third quarter. Alderson Broaddus took control in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Tigers 18-6 to earn the win.
Salem International committed 30 turnovers in the game, which led directly to 35 points for the Battlers. The Tigers held a 40-34 edge on the glass, with 14 offensive rebounds.
Rachel Ashley led the Battlers with game-highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds with five assists.
The Tigers game with Davis & Elkins, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23 has been postponed. The team's next game is at Kentucky Wesleyan on Jan. 28 with a 5 p.m. (CT) tip time.
