A pair of third-quarter scoring runs turned a three-point game into a double-digit margin and a late rally came up short as Salem University fell to Concord University 73-62 in NCAA Division II women's basketball Wednesday at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium. The Tigers cut a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit down to single digits in the final minute before the Mountain Lions sealed the game from the free throw line.
 
After trailing by as many as nine points during the first half, Salem (2-9) used layups by Inari Jones and Nia Bishop to pull within 33-30 with 7:52 left in the third quarter. Concord (8-3) scored the next seven points to take its first double-digit lead of the game, but Nerea Arambarri Fernandez cut the lead in half on a three-pointer and then an uncontested layup off a backcourt steal by Jones.
 
Concord answered with a 9-2 run and Maggie Guynn's three-pointer with 33 seconds left gave the Mountain Lions a 54-42 lead entering the fourth quarter. Fernandez hit a pair of three-pointers for Salem, but a putback by Tamra Scott gave Concord its biggest lead at 67-50 with 3:07 left to play.
 
Bishop found Precious Price on the left wing for a three-pointer and connected on 4-of-4 free throws as Salem chipped away at the lead. Price hit another three with 42 seconds remaining to pull the Tigers within 69-60. But Concord hit 4-of-4 free throws in the final 26 seconds to thwart Salem's comeback.
 
After Concord scored the first nine points of the game - all on three-pointers - Jones put Salem on the scoreboard with a three of her own with 5:48 left in the first quarter. The Mountain Lions stretched the lead back to as many as seven, but Reeva Jackson scored underneath off a drive-and-dish by Price and Alicia Smith hit a three-pointer with 1:48 remaining to cut the margin to four. But Salem would not score again in the half and Concord went into the locker room with a 32-26 halftime lead.
 
Fernandez notched her third consecutive double-figure game, leading the Tigers with 15 points. Jackson pulled down a season-high 10 rebounds, while Endia Jones added nine boards.
 
Guynn led all scorers with 21 points for Concord. Scott and Madison May both posted double-doubles for the Mountain Lions.
 
Salem is back in action Friday afternoon as the Tigers travel to Institute, W.Va., to take on West Virginia State University. Tip-off is 2 p.m. After Friday's contest, the Tigers are idle until January 2 when they play host to Davis & Elkins College.