SALEM, W.Va. (Feb. 27) – The Tigers closed the 2015-16 season with an 88-66 loss to Kentucky Wesleyan in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
 
The Salem International University women's basketball team closes out the season 1-13 in the G-MAC, 4-24 overall. Meanwhile, the Panthers improve to 16-9 overall, 9-5 in league play.
 
Senior Samantha Aiken (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head) closed out her collegiate career with 26 points, eight rebounds and three steals, all team-highs. She ends the season ranked second in the G-MAC in scoring and led the conference in free throw percentage and steals.
 
Senior Dorina Barrett (Detroit, Mich./Pershing) finished with 14 points, four assists and five rebounds, while senior TaShay Smith (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) chipped in nine points in the loss.
 
The Tigers trailed for the majority of the first quarter, but a pair of Aiken free throws with 1:15 remaining gave Salem International a 22-21 lead. Kentucky Wesleyan scored the next 11 points of the game to take a 34-23 lead with 6:30 left in first half, before the Tigers rallied with a 12-3 run to pull within two points, 37-35, with 2:03 until halftime.
 
The Panthers assumed control of the game in the third quarter. The Kentucky Wesleyan outscored the Tigers 30-13 in the third to assume command of the game. The deficit was too much for Salem International, giving the visiting Panthers the win.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan's Erin Dorn led the Panthers to the win with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field.
 
Prior to the game, Salem International honored Aiken, Smith and senior Alexus Cooper (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) for their contributions to the program.