SALEM, W.Va. – The Salem University men's basketball team defeated Wheeling Jesuit 92-79 at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium, Sunday afternoon.
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 10-5, while Wheeling Jesuit falls to 1-11.
 
This marks the Tigers first 10-win season since the 2013-14 season.
 
The Tigers connected on 48.5 percent of their shots (32-66), as Wheeling Jesuit shot just 37 percent (27-73). Salem connected on 20 of its 27 free throw attempts, while WJU connected on just 10 of its 17.
 
Salem was outrebounded by Wheeling Jesuit 40-38, but the Tigers forced Wheeling Jesuit to 15 turnovers as Salem had 13 turnovers. The Tigers controlled the paint as they recorded 46 points to Wheeling's 18.
 
Senior Malik Toppin led the Tigers as he notched his eighth double-double of the year while he scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed 17 of the Tigers 38 rebounds as he connected on 14 of his 19 shot attempts.
 
Senior Ferlandis Penny had an impressive performance as he was 100 percent from the field going 3-for-3 from behind the arc and 5-5 from the field for 15 points. He also snagged seven rebounds on the day.
 
Freshman Fonz Hale netted 13 points, while senior Marko Tutunovic added 10 points. Junior Malique Ross finished with a game-high nine assists and tossed-in nine points.
 
In the early going, Salem led Wheeling 16-7 with 12:57 left in the first half as Hale drove the lane and connected with a layup. After a made layup from Wheeling at 8:32, Wheeling cut the lead to one, 20-19.
 
Hale knocked down a three from Ross as time expired heading into the break as Salem led 36-33.
 
In the second half, Salem and Wheeling battled back and forth as there were a couple lead changes, but at 12:35 with Salem leading 52-50, the Tigers went on a 17-3 run to expand the lead and take control of the contest as they led 71-53.
 
Wheeling cut the lead to 83-74, but that is as close as they would get as the Tigers knocked down their late-game free throw to secure their second-straight win.
 
Salem is back in action Saturday as it travels to Urbana for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.