BLUEFIELD, W. Va. (Feb. 24, 2018) — The Salem University Tigers men's basketball team was buried under a barrage of 3-pointers, falling to Bluefield State College 97-77. 

Bluefield State was scorching from the start as four different players hit at least two 3-pointers, shooting a sizzling 10-for-18 (55.6 percent) from deep and 17-for-28 (60.7 percent) overall, putting three scorers in double digits in the first half, led by Greg Purnell's 13 points and four assists on 4-for-6 shooting, including 3-for-5 from the field. 

Salem won the turnover battle in the half, forcing 11, including seven steals, while committing only four themselves. 

But the 12-4 advantage in points off turnovers and 26-6 edge in points in the paint did little to keep up with Bluefield's outside shooting. The ball didn't move as freely for Salem, collecting only three assists in the half and taking only six 3-pointers, missing on all of them, and shooting just 13-for-32 (40.6 percent) overall, leaving the Tigers trailing 48-30 after the first half. 

Reggie Oliver and Malik Toppin settled in over the course of the second half, combining for 29 points; buoyed by Oliver's 4-for-7 3-point shooting. 

But Bluefield continued to shoot from deep with volume and efficiency, hitting 7-for-15 (46.7 percent) in the second half and assisting on nine of its made field goals. 

Oliver led the Tigers with 23 points on 7-for-17 shooting, contributing two assists and two steals. Toppin posted another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Darren Montgomery was the final Salem player in double figures with 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting. 

Rob Brown led Bluefield with 27 points, hitting 6-for-10 from the 3-point line. Korey Williams had 26 points and four assists and Purnell finished with 20 points, six assists and six steals. With the loss, Salem finishes its season 6-20, including 1-13 on the road.