MURFREESBORO, N.C. (Feb. 14, 2018) — Turnovers continued to plague the Salem University Tigers men's basketball team in a 79-74 loss to Chowan University. 

Salem committed 20 turnovers (10 in each half), giving Chowan a 12-3 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half and a 35-29 lead at the break. 

Malik Toppin led the Tigers with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double, shooting an efficient 7-for-8 from the field, but committed a team-high four turnovers. Five other Salem players committed three turnovers each. 

The lack of ball security offset a sterling shooting night as the Tigers shot 27-for-60 (45.0 percent) from the field, including 13-for-32 from the 3-point line (40.6 percent). 

Salem's 3-point shooting was bolstered by solid performances from Ignacio Rodriguez (4-for-7) and Brett Bowling (3-for-7), who each scored 14 points off the bench. 

Demetrius Sanders led four Chowan University players in double figures with 24 points, darting into the lane to hit 10-for-16 form the field, getting to the free-throw line five times, hitting four in 32 minutes before fouling out. 

Robert Grubbs had 20 points, hitting six 3-pointers and two free throws. Gus Rowland organized the offense with 11 points and 14 assists while Tim Hewett had 13 points and eight rebounds. 

With the loss, the Tigers drop to 6-17 on the season, including 1-11 on the road with three games remaining in the season. Salem returns to action on Feb. 17 against Seton Hill University on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m., holds senior night on its final home game on Feb. 21 against Central Sate, then closeout the season on the road against Bluefield State College.