Salem University's second-half rally came up short as the Tigers suffered their first loss of the season, falling 85-66 to Malone University in NCAA Division II women's basketball Wednesday at Canton, Ohio. Nia Bishop led three Tigers in double figures and shared game-high honors with 17 points.
 
Salem (1-1) trailed by as many as 29 points in the third quarter before Alicia Smith's three-pointer and Smith's five-point run in the final 90 seconds of the period triggered the Tigers' comeback attempt. Nerea Arambarri Hernandez's jumper and a three-pointer by Precious Price cut the margin under 20 for the first time since the second quarter.
 
Smith hit another three-pointer and after Aaliyah Holmes forced a turnover, Daniela Quesada Villalobos hit a layup to bring Salem within 72-59 with 4:04 left to play. But that would be as close as the Tigers would get.
 
Malone (2-1) scored the first seven points of the contest and opened the second quarter with a 13-0 run to build a 49-21 halftime lead.
 
Smith finished with 14 points off the bench, while Quesada Villalobos added 12 points and tied for game-high honors with seven rebounds. Bishop, who recorded nine steals in Saturday's season-opening win over Miami-Hamilton (Ohio), finished with five steals to go with six rebounds.
 
Robin Campbell led Malone with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
 
Salem is back home Saturday as the Tigers play host to Tiffin University in the opener of a women's and men's basketball doubleheader. The women's game tips off at 2 p.m., followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.