SALEM, W.Va. – The Salem University women's basketball team dropped a home contest to Central State 114-88, Wednesday night.
 
This marks the second loss to Central State on the year. With the loss, Salem falls to 3-15, while Central State jumps to 7-12.
 
Salem was only able to connect on 40.9 percent (9-22) of its free throws, while Central State hit on 83.9 percent (26-31) of its free throws. The Tigers were 38.8 percent (33-85) from the field, while Central State shot 48.8 percent (41-84) from the field.
 
Central State grabbed 53 rebounds to Salem's 39, while the Tigers had 22 turnovers and Central State posted 19.
 
Salem only produced 34 points in the paint, while Central State garnered 60. Each bench scored 35 points.
 
Junior Precious Price led the way for the Tigers as she notched 26 points, her second-straight 20-point game, and grabbed four rebounds, while freshman Nia Bishop netted 13 points with four rebounds.
 
Junior Aaliyah Holmes and classmate Tamia Tart each dropped 11 points, as Tart also grabbed four rebounds and notched three steals.
 
Price opened the game with a three-pointer as the Tigers led 3-0 with 8:48 in the first quarter. After freshman Daniela Quesada-Villalobos knocked down a three with 5:10 as Salem led 13-9. Central State then went on a 14-0 run to close out the quarter as Salem trailed Central State 23-13.
 
In the second quarter, Salem created a run of its own, as it trailed Central 39-23 with 6:09 remaining in the first half. The Tigers sparked a 27-9 run after Holmes netted a layup as time expired in the first half to give Salem a 50-47 lead at intermission.
 
The second half was a different story for the Tigers, as Central State gained the lead at 7:42 in the third quarter (54-52) and did not look back.
 
Central State held its largest lead of the game of 28 with 52 seconds remaining in the contest, 114-86.
 
Takyra Gilbert led the way for Central State as she notched a double-double with a game-high 33 points and a game-high 12 assists.
 
The Tigers are back in action Saturday as they host Bluefield State at 2:00 p.m.