SALEM, W.Va. (Jan. 4) – The Tigers could not overcome a six-point halftime deficit in their 104-84 loss to Ohio Valley in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play Monday night.
 
The loss sends the Salem International University men's basketball team to 3-10 overall, 0-1 in league play. Meanwhile, the Fighting Scots improve to 1-0 in the G-MAC, 3-10 overall.
 
Senior Jerry Sipple, III (Kansas City, Mo./Wyandotte) finished with a team-high 18 points in his Tiger debut. The Missouri native shot 63 percent from the field (7 of 11), including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
 
Three other players scored in double-figures, led by sophomore Saquan Epps (Upper Marlboro, Md./Frederick Douglass) with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
 
The opening 10 minutes of the game was a track meet, with both teams pushing play up and down the court. Salem International took a 32-27 lead following a trey by senior Tyler Bell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Central) with 8:19 remaining until halftime.
 
Ohio Valley responded with a 19-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a 46-36 lead with 2:48 left in the first half. The Tigers answered back with a 6-2 run to close out the half, including a dunk by Sipple, to cut the Fighting Scots lead to 48-42 heading into the break.
 
Salem International came within four, 57-53, after a three-pointer by Sipple with 16:05 left in the game, but Ohio Valley did not allow the Tigers any closer. The Scots shot 18 of 23 (78 percent) over the final 15 minutes of the game to close out the win in each team's G-MAC opener.
 
For the game, Ohio Valley shot 39 of 68 (57 percent ) from the field, compared to the 29 of 70 (41 percent) posted by Salem International. The Scots finished with a 64 to 36 edge in points in the paint in the win.
 
Darryl Walker finished with 34 points, including 19 in the final 15 minutes of the game, to lead Ohio Valley.
 
The Tigers have a week off before heading to Elkins, West Virginia next Tuesday, Jan. 12 to take on G-MAC rival Davis & Elkins around 7 p.m.