Salem University erased a 23-point first-half deficit and tied the game in the third quarter, but Ursuline College pulled away in the final period as the Tigers concluded their 2019-20 women's basketball season with a 92-73 loss to the Arrows Thursday at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium. The Tigers conclude the season with an 8-18 record.
 
Thursday's game was originally scheduled for January 18, but had to be postponed due to weather and travel conditions.
 
Salem cut the deficit down to nine at halftime and chipped away early in the third quarter. Alicia Smith sandwiched a pair of 2-for-2 trips to the line around a Nia Bishop three-pointer in a 7-0 run as the Tigers tied the game 53-53 with 4:02 remaining. But Ursuline (8-19) scored the next five points and extended the lead to 66-57 to end the period.
 
The Arrows used back-to-back transition layups in the opening minute of the fourth quarter to build the lead to 11 and the margin stayed in double digits the remainder of the contest. The lead grew to as many as 28 points before Daniela Quesada and Imari Bowers connected on three-pointers in a game-ending 9-0 run.
 
In the first quarter, Quesada's skip pass to a wide open Nerea Arambarri resulted in a three-pointer to pull Salem within 10-8 with 6:53 left. Ursuline then scored the next 21 points to give the Arrows a 31-8 lead before Smith's three-pointer and Bishop's layup in the final 50 seconds ended the Tigers' six-minute scoring drought.
 
Bishop opened the second quarter with a layup and Precious Price kept Salem's run going with a three-pointer. Quesada followed with a jumper and Smith's steal led to an Endia Jones layup as the Tigers completed a 14-0 run and cut the margin to single digits at 31-22 with 7:14 remaining before halftime.
 
Usuline built the lead back up to 16 points, but Salem answered with three-pointers by Smith and Tamia Tart. Jones made steals on two consecutive Ursuline possessions and Bishop drove the lane and dished to Reeva Jackson underneath as Salem again brought the margin to single digits at 42-35 with 1:14 left before halftime. Ursuline's Ky Crevison hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining and the Arrows went into the locker room with a 44-35 lead at the break.
 
Bishop and Price led Salem with 13 points apiece, while Smith added 10 points. Jones pulled down 10 boards for her seventh double-figure rebounding total of the season and Jackson had nine rebounds. Jones also had a season-high five steals, while Bishop dished out five assists.
 
Julia Cardwell connected on each of her first four 3-point attempts and scored all of her game-high 17 points in the first half for Ursuline. Tamara Mathis added 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Arrows placed six players in double figures.
 
Thursday's contest was the final collegiate game for seniors Imari Bowers, Aaliyah Holmes, Reeva Jackson, Endia Jones and Precious Price. Tiger head coach Cody Gilmore started the five seniors and then subbed them in for the final minutes to let them finish their careers on the court.