Box Score Columbia, SC- Salem University traveled to South Carolina this week for a two game road trip. On Thursday night, Salem squared off with Benedict College of the SIAC Conference. The Tigers would fall in a heartbreaker 84-82. Jordan Forbes would lead the Tigers with a double double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Fonz Hale would have a season high in points with 24.

How it happened:

FIRST HALF:
- Both teams got off to a slow start, scoring a combined six points in the first four minutes.
- Fonz Hale got the Tigers rolling with back to back three pointers giving Salem a 8-6 lead at the 15:38 mark.
- Fonz Hale would get another three pointer with 10:57 to go in the half to close the gap (14-19)
- On the following possession, Fonz Hale would get fouled taking it to the basket, shot made and he would make the free throw.
- At the 9:58 mark, Salem would regain the lead with another Fonz Hale three pointer.
- Back to back Stan Smith three pointers would give Salem their biggest lead of the half at 30-21, with 6:48 to play.
- Benedict went on a 14-5 run to tie it up at 35 with 3:49 left in half.
- Salem would utilize two layups from Jordan Forbes, and their ninth team three pointer of the half to go up by 7 (42-35).
- With one minute to go in the half, Fonz Hale would get to 19 points for the game to give the Tigers a 46-37 lead.

SECOND HALF:
- Salem would get off to a slow start, and Benedict would go on a 9-2 run to start the half and tie it up at 51. 
- Benedict took the lead 60-56 with 12:52 remaining.
- Benedict would pull take their lead to double digits, leading with 10:55 left in the second half
- Fonz Hale would give Salem their first points in over five minutes of play with two free throws. Salem would trail 68-58 with 9:08 remaining.
- Jordan Forbes would score on three straight possessions to cut the Benedict lead to two.
- With just under four minutes to go, Salem would hold a one point advantage.
- A layup for Benedict would give them the lead with 2:48 to play.
- The Tigers would not go away hitting a three pointer, cutting the opponent lead to one point with 1:05 left.
- Salem ran out of time and could not convert on the last possession of the game. 


Stat highlights: Fonz Hale would have a season high in points with 24. This would be only the second time this season that Salem would have two 20+ point scorers (Forbes, Hale). The last time this happened for Salem was in the season opener against WVU Tech.

Men's Basketball will be back in action tomorrow against Allen College at 5:30 PM.