OWENSBORO, Ky. –The Salem University men's basketball team wrapped up the Kentucky Wesleyan Thanksgiving Classic with two wins, as Salem defeated Montevallo 74-64, Saturday afternoon. 
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 5-1, the best start the Tigers have had since the 2013-14 season. 
 
"I'm really happy for our players and our program as a whole. It has been a long time since we have been 5-1 here at Salem, and it's all because of these kids," stated head coach Adam Williams. 
 
The Tigers shot 50 percent from the floor (26-52), while they netted 42.3 percent from behind the arc (11-26), whereas Montevallo shot just 34.4 percent from the field (22-64) and 26.7 percent from three (8-30). 
 
Salem was outrebounded 46-20, but the Tigers forced Montevallo to 20 turnovers, scoring 20 points off those turnovers.  
 
Salem was led by sophomore Shawn Christian as he poured in a game-high 16 points, added three rebounds and dished out four assists. Christian is currently ranked second in Division II in three-point field goals per game at 5.25. 
 
Senior Christopher Shields added 12 points with three rebounds and three steals, while classmate Malik Toppin chipped in 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots. 
 
Christian notched the game's first points as he hit shot behind the arc for a 3-0 Salem lead at 19:46. 
 
Christian notched another three as time in the first half expired to tie the contest 36-36 heading into intermission. 
 
In the second half, the Tigers jumped out on a 9-2 run on a Shields layup to take a 45-38 lead with 15:26 left in the second half. The Tigers maintained a lead throughout the remainder of the contest. 
 
The Tigers held their largest lead of the game at the end, as Christian knocked down both of his free throw attempts for a 74-64 lead and win. 
 
Salem is back in action as it travels to Mansfield Wednesday for a matchup slated for 7:00 p.m.