A third-quarter scoring run broke open a close game as Salem University fell to Alderson Broaddus University 86-66 in NCAA Division II women's basketball Wednesday at Philippi, W.Va. Nerea Arambarri Fernandez led all scorers with 18 points.
 
After Endia Jones's three-pointer with 90 seconds left in the first quarter pulled Salem (2-7) within 14-12, Alderson Broaddus hit three 3-pointers during an 11-0 to push the margin to double digits early in the second quarter. Fernandez sank a pair of free throws with 1:32 remaining to help pull the Tigers within 31-22 at halftime.
 
The Tigers kept pace with the Battlers early in the third quarter as Daniela Quesada's three-pointer and a pair of free throws by Jones kept Salem within 37-27. Alderson Broaddus (3-5) answered with a 14-0 run and the margin stayed above the 20-point mark until Fernandez's putback ended the period with the Tigers down 58-39.
 
Tamia Tart's three-pointer in the opening minute of the fourth quarter highlighted a brief run to pull the Tigers within 65-50. But Alderson Broaddus scored the next seven points and the margin never fell below 18 points the rest of the way.
 
Jones finished with 13 points and shared game-high honors with Quesada with six rebounds. Alicia Smith added 10 points, while Nia Bishop tallied five assists, five rebounds and four steals.
 
Alderson Broaddus's Danielle Franklin hit 5-of-6 three-pointers for a team-high 17 points. The Battlers finished 12-of-24 from three-point range.
 
Salem opens a two-game homestand Saturday as the Tigers play host to Seton Hill University. Tip-off is 2 p.m. at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.