Box Score TAKOMA PARK, Md. (Dec. 4, 2017) – After three minutes of pure, unadulterated chaos, Isis Mance stood still and alone at the free-throw line with less than two seconds remaining in the game.

Only two minutes and 30 seconds ago, the Salem University Tigers women's basketball team trailed Washington Adventist University 60-50 with Salem's starting backcourt both out with injury.

The climb back, scoring 14 points to claw within one, was desperate adrenaline meets precise execution, and stepping out of that to shoot a pair of game-deciding free throws—a shot the Tigers have struggled mightily with all season—was akin to stepping out of a demolition derby and immediately performing surgery before the nerves could settle.

Mance, a fifth-year senior, calmly drained both, capping of a furious comeback to secure a 66-65 victory to improve to 3-5 on the season.
Keishla Gilmore led Salem University with 21 points and six steals, draining 5-for-10 from the 3-point line and shooting 7-for-16 overall. But things looked bleak when, after Gilmore drained a 3-pointer to give Salem a 50-48 lead with 6:12 remaining, Washington Adventist reeled off a 12-0 run amidst a stretch of cold shooting from the Tigers, who moved the ball for open looks but failed to convert.

When Gilmore went airborne to fight for a rebound with Washington Adventist's giant center, Amber Mormon, she landed hard, writhing on the floor in pain as Washington Adventist ran down the other way for a 5-on-4 layup.

Absent its starting backcourt of Gilmore and Aaliyah Dotson, who left the game earlier after a hard collision, and down double digits with less than four minutes remaining, Salem began its comeback.

Ashley Hancock started the comeback with a 3-pointer off a pass from Mance on a beautiful display of ball movement, with the Tigers' playing Washington Adventist's defense like an accordion, forcing it to collapse with an interior pass to Mance, stretching it out, in and out again with a flurry of ball and body movement leading to
Hancock's corner 3-pointer.

The Tigers immediately went into their full-court press, with Jessica Woney stealing the inbounds pass and immediately laying the ball in, cutting Washington Adventist's 60-50 lead to five in mere seconds.

After a Mormon layup, Mance hit 1-for-2 from the free-throw line. Salem then forced a turnover, scoring off Hancock's jumper with 1:30 remaining to cut the lead to four.

Mormon then missed one of two free throws and the Tigers capitalized with back-to-back 3-pointers—with Mance finding Woney and Hancock finding Quamilla Jackson to take a one-point lead with 22 seconds remaining.
Washington Adventist responded with a tough layup from Demyra Selby with four seconds remaining as Salem

Head Coach Michael Bari frantically called for a timeout.

Out of the timeout, the Tigers go the ball to Mance on the block, who quickly spun baseline, drawing the foul for her game-winning free throws.

Mance finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three crucial assists, loosening up the defense with her interior work and passing. Woney contributed 10 points off the bench, shooting 2-for-5 from deep and 4-for-7 overall.

In seven minutes, Hancock hit three huge shots, scoring seven points.

Jillian Romero struggled from the field, shooting just 1-for-11, but displayed a nice floor game, contributing defensively with eight rebounds and two blocks while steadily guiding the offense and moving the ball for a team-high six assists.

Mormon was one of three Washington Adventist players in double figures, posting a double-double with 18 points and 19 rebounds to help outscore Salem 32-16 in points in the paint. Courtney Jenkins scored 18 points on a blistering 7-for-8 from the field, making both 3-pointers and free throws. Christine Mabry had 10 points and eight rebounds.

But the Tigers' managed to force 21 turnovers for a 21-5 advantage in points off turnovers, including a 9-0 edge in the fourth quarter, when Salem outscored Washington Adventist 27-17. Salem also managed to double Washington Adventist in 3-pointers made at 12-6, making 8-for-17 in the second half. 

Salem will return home to host the Joe Manchin Classic this weekend, playing Elizabeth State University on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. and Central State on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.