BLUEFIELD, W.Va. –The Salem University men's basketball team dropped a road contest to Bluefield State 94-87, Saturday afternoon. 
 
With the loss, Salem falls to 16-9, while Bluefield State improves to 9-16. 
 
Salem shot 44.4 (28-63) from the field, while they shot 33.3 (6-18) from three, whereas Bluefield shot 46.2 percent from the field (30-65) and 33.3 from deep (10-30). 
 
Salem outrebounded Bluefield 37-28 and outscored the Big Blues in the paint 54-34. 
 
Senior Malik Toppin led the way for Salem notching his second-straight and 12th double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while junior Marko Tutunovic tied his season-high of 19 points with five rebounds. 
 
Senior Ferlandis Penny scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while junior Malique Ross recorded 14 points, six rebounds and dished out seven assists. 
 
At the beginning of the game, the Tigers and Big Blues battled with several lead changes, but Tutunovic drained a three at 10:58 in the first to give Salem a 21-18 lead. Salem then went on a 24-10 run after Toppin connected on a layup as the Tigers led 45-28, which was their largest lead of the game, with 1:22 remaining in the first half. 
 
The Tigers led Bluefield 47-33 at the break. 
 
In the second half, Bluefield slowly chipped away at the lead as it cut the lead to four 73-69 with 8:49 remaining in the game. 
 
With 4:55 remaining, Bluefield surpassed Salem and took an 81-79 lead after a made jump shot.
 
The Big Blues connected on key free throws at the end of the game to secure the victory over Salem. 
 
The Tigers are back in action Wednesday as they host Mansfield for Senior Night in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.