Salem University cut a 22-point first-half deficit down to two points in the fourth quarter, but the rally came up short as the Tigers fell to University of the District of Columbia 68-64 in NCAA Division II women's basketball Wednesday at Washington, D.C. Nia Bishop scored eight of her team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Endia Jones pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds.
 
Salem (5-14) trailed 60-44 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before three-pointers by Nerea Arambarri Fernandez and Aaliyah Holmes capped a 7-0 run to cut the margin to single digits for the first time since late in the first quarter. District of Columbia's Latavia Jackson hit a three-pointer with 5:28 remaining, but that would be the Firebirds' last field goal of the game.
 
Bishop hit a layup and a three-pointer and her steal set up Alicia Smith for a layup. Price connected on a three-pointer with 3:03 remaining to pull the Tigers within 63-61.
 
Fernandez and Jones each blocked a shot on District of Columbia's next possession, but offensive rebounding allowed the Firebirds to salvage the possession with a free throw. Salem was unable to convert on its next three possessions and UDC used the free throw line to extend its lead to 66-61 with 17 seconds left.
 
Bishop drew a foul on her layup and sank the free throw to make it a two-point game with 10 seconds left. Fernandez nearly stole the inbounds pass, but the ball got knocked away. District of Columbia added a pair of free throws to seal the win.
 
A 13-0 run starting in the first quarter helped propel District of Columbia to a 32-10 lead midway through the second quarter. Salem came back with nine unanswered points, highlighted by a three-pointer by Holmes.
 
District of Columbia (6-14) built the lead back to as many as 16 points before another Holmes three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining brought the Tigers within 12. But Jackson hit a layup for UDC with four seconds left to give the Firebirds a 39-25 halftime lead.
 
Holmes scored all of her 12 points from three-point range for the Tigers, while Price added nine points and five assists. Salem outscored District of Columbia 22-10 in the fourth quarters as the Tigers shot 8-for-12 from the field, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc.
 
Jackson led all scorers with 17 points for District of Columbia.
 
Salem returns to action Monday as the Tigers travel to Cheyney, Pa., for a rematch against Cheyney University. The Tigers defeated the Wolves 115-71 January 13 at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium. Monday's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. and is the opening game of a doubleheader with Tiger men's basketball against Cheyney.