Jordan Forbes scored 31 points and Salem University broke away from a four-point halftime lead as the Tigers defeated Ohio Valley University 84-67 in NCAA Division II men's basketball Wednesday at T. Edwards Gymnasium. The win is the second in a row for the Tigers, who led by as many as 26 points in the second half.
 
Salem (3-3) held a 32-28 halftime lead before Forbes, Ralph Diaz and Marko Tutunovic connected on three-pointers during a 9-2 run to open the second half. Ohio Valley (2-3) got as close as six points, but Scott McGann's three-pointer with 7:58 left to play ignited a 17-0 run and put the Tigers' lead at double digits to stay.
 
Forbes and Stan Smith both hit three's during the run and Fonz Hale's two free throws with 3:53 remaining gave Salem its biggest lead at 80-54.
 
The Tigers jumped out to an 11-2 lead as McGann hit back-to-back three-pointers. Ohio Valley cut the margin to five and then went on a 12-0 run to take a 22-15 lead with 8:28 left in the first half. Keon Claiborne scored seven of his 19 points during the run.
 
Salem used the three-ball to rally as Hale, Forbes and Malique Ross all scored from beyond the arc to knot the score at 24-24. Ohio Valley regained the lead, but Forbes' fastbreak dunk off of Hale's outlet pass with 3:36 left put the Tigers back on top for good at 28-27.
 
McGann finished with 12 points, all from three-point range. Hale and Ross added nine points apiece, while Forbes came within one rebound of a double-double.
 
Salem returns to action Sunday as the Tigers play host to Seton Hill University. Tip-off is 4 p.m. at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.