SALEM, W.Va. – The Salem University men's basketball team dominated Clarion 93-64, at a lively T. Edward Davis Gymnasium, Wednesday night.
 
With the win, Salem improves to 16-8, while Clarion falls to 5-16. The 16 wins are more wins than the previous four years combined.
 
The last season the Tigers eclipsed 16 wins was in the 2005-06 season when Salem held a 21-9 record in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).  
 
The Tigers dominated the paint as they scored 40 points to Clarion's 24, while Salem notched 23 points off turnovers to Clarion's 14. The Tigers also recorded 25 second-chance points, while Clarion posted 11.
 
Five Tigers generated double-digits as senior Malik Toppin recorded his 11^th double-double of the year with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while freshman Fonz Hale netted 17 points.
 
Junior Malique Ross filled the stat line with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds and zero turnovers, while senior Christopher Shields garnered 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
 
Senior Ferlandis Penny had a near triple-double with 16 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven blocks.
 
In the early going, Salem and Clarion battled back and forth for the lead, but the last time Clarion held the lead was at 10:29 in the first half as Toppin put a member of the Golden Eagles on a poster to tie the game at 20.
 
With time running out in the half, Ross knocked down a step back three as the buzzer sounded to give Salem a 21-point lead, 56-35 at halftime.
 
In the second half, Salem maintained a 20 plus point lead throughout and held its largest lead of the game at 1:39 in the second half at 33 as it led Clarion 91-58 after an and-one three made by Ross.
 
Clarion was led by Elijah Cottrill who posted 17 points and three steals.
 
The Tigers are back in action Saturday as they travel to Bluefield State for a 4:00 p.m. tip.