WILBERFORCE, OH - Despite outscoring the Central State Marauders 17-9 in the fourth quarter, the Salem International women's basketball team dropped a 66-31 decision on Saturday night (Nov. 12) in the opening game of the Theresa A. Check Tip-off Classic.

The Tigers (0-1) will face Kentucky State University tomorrow afternoon in Wilberforce, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 pm. SIU then heads to Rio Grande, Ohio for the Bevo Francis Tournament, hosted by Rio Grande. The two-day event will take place on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19.

Sophomore Keishla Gilmore scored a team-high nine points for the Tigers, while senior Dorina Barrett added six points and four steals for SIU. Sophomore Jiahna Flood-Francis totaled five points and freshman Quamilla Jackson chipped in six points for the Tigers.

Central State (1-0) quickly raced out to a 17-6 lead after the opening 10 minutes of action. The Marauders would add to their lead by dropping 12 points in the second quarter to widen their lead to 29-10.

Central State was 9-for-35 from the floor and 8-for-15 at the free throw line in the first half, while SIU was 4-for-24 from the floor and 1-for-6 at the free throw line.

The Tigers seemed poised to turn things around in the second half, but a 28-point outburst by Central State upped the Marauders lead to 57-14.

Salem wouldn't go down without a fight, outscoring Central State 17-9 in the fourth quarter. The Tigers connected on eight shots in the second half and shot fifty-percent (4-for-8) from the charity stripe.

The Marauders were led by Tamara Sellers' game-high 22 points, while teammate Ghameerah McCullers added 11 points for Central State. Mustafa Notter finished with a game-high 12 rebounds for Central State.