FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Salem University women's basketball team was downed by Fayetteville State 92-63, Saturday afternoon.
 
With the loss, the Tigers drop to 2-12, while Fayetteville State improves to 7-4. 
 
The Tigers struggled from the field as they only shot 28.6 percent (20-70), while Fayetteville State connected on 53.2 percent (33-62). Salem was also outrebounded 44-39, but the Tigers grabbed more offensive boards than the Broncos 16-10. 
 
Salem was able to generate more second-chance point, as it netted 12 to Fayetteville's four, but Salem was hit with the turnover bug as it committed 28. 
 
Freshman Nia Bishop led the way for the Tigers as she recorded a game-high 21 points, her third 20-point game in just six contests, on 8-for-8 from the free throw line, while junior Aaliyah Holmes was the only other Tiger to score double-figures with 11 points. 
 
Freshman Aitana Nuevo Garcia netted seven points to go along with seven rebounds. 
 
In the first half, Fayetteville jumped out to a 21-7 first quarter lead. This set the tone for the game as Salem could not find its way back. In the second quarter, the Tigers were only able to add 10 points as they trailed Fayetteville 43-17. 
 
 
The Tigers failed to garner the lead at any point in the contest. 
 
In the second half, the Tigers battled back and were able to generate 20 points in the third quarter, more than the first two quarters combined. In the fourth quarter, tempers flared and the game turned very chippy. 
 
Fayetteville held its largest lead with 4:26 left in the fourth quarter as it led Salem 77-40. 
 
The Broncos were led by Shantel Bennett as she notched 20 points with six rebounds. 
 
The Tigers are back in action Tuesday, January 15 as they travel to West Virginia Wesleyan.