Box Score
SALEM, W. Va. (Dec. 19, 2017) – The Salem University Tigers men's basketball team's comeback fell short against the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans, losing 95-88.
Salem put itself in an early hole, committing three turnovers on its first three possessions, and 15 for the first half, to trail 47-36 at halftime.
The Tigers' backcourt committed seven live ball turnovers in the half, attempting to force passes through narrow windows hitting the dive man in pick-and-roll or getting caught against a trap.
Those miscues triggered transition and early offense opportunities for the Vulcans, who held a 22-2 advantage in points off turnovers in the half, including a 14-2 edge in fast break points.
When the Vulcans didn't get to the rim in transition, they found shooters along the perimeter, hitting 8-for-19 (42.1 percent) from deep in the half.
After trailing by 13-15 points for most of the first half, Salem settled down by establishing itself in the paint, running simple pick-and-rolls on the strong side that flowed into duck-in post opportunities on the weak.
When patient and taking what the defense surrendered, it opened up deep post position or easy offensive rebounding opportunities for
Malik Toppin and
Ferlandis Penny, who combined for 24 points and eight rebounds in the half.
In the second half, the Tigers took care of the ball, committing only three turnovers and chiseled away at the Vulcan lead.
With the return of athletic wing
Jarius Farrow, Salem was able to turn to more man-to-man defense, choking off the 3-point line for California (Pa.), limiting the Vulcans to 5-for-17 shooting from behind the arc in the second half.
Toppin dominated the paint, scoring 21 points on 10-for-10 shooting in the second half, finishing with a game-high 35 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers' center sealed off defenders for soft hooks shots or worked in the pick and roll and on the offensive glass for power dunks, giving Salem a 50-38 advantage on points in the paint.
Toppin, along with Farrow's 16 second-half points, brought Salem back to within two late in the game, but the Tigers missed several looks to get over the hump.
Farrow finished with 21 points and seven rebounds and Penny contributed 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
After struggling early with turnovers,
Jordan Robinson finished with 12 assists.
Five players scored in double figures for the Vulcans, led by Isaiah Lewis' 24 points and eight assists, hitting 7-for-13 from the field, including 5-for-8 from the 3-point line. Terry Davis had 19 points and six rebounds and Jahmere Howze had 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
With the loss, the Tigers drop to 4-8 on the season. Salem returns to action on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. on the road against Glenville State College.
