NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 6, 2018) — The Salem University Tigers basketball team faced the  No. 21-ranked University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions, losing 97-75 on a neutral court. 

Turnovers and depth once against plagued the Tigers and Salem was outworked inside, where Malik Toppin was held to just single-digit scoring for the first time all season, scoring just nine points to go with 11 rebounds and five blocks. 

Salem struggled to get the ball inside to Toppin, who was limited to just four shot attempts, making three. The Tigers committed 17 turnovers, including eight live ball turnovers, to give the Lions a 25-10 advantage in points off turnovers. 

The Lions scored 58 points in the paint, led by Davaunta Thomas' 18-point, 12-rebound double-double, shooting 8-for-14 from the field. Arkansas-Fort Smith overwhelmed with a balanced scoring attack with six Lions' players in double figures, shooting 49.4 percent from the field. 

Darren Montgomery led Salem with 16 points and three assists, shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Darius Farrow contributed 12 points and Marko Tutunovic had 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Reggie Oliver had 12 points to lead the second unit, but struggled from outside, hitting just 5-for-19 from the field, including 2-for-9 from the 3-point line. 

Salem struggled with its efficiency, shooting just 41.7 percent and 9-for-31 from the 3-point line while also failing to get to the free-throw line, shooting just 6-for-8. 

With the loss, the Tigers drop to 5-16 on the season and 1-10 away from home. Salem will return to the friendly confines of the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium this weekend, hosting Ohio University (Eastern) on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.