SALEM, West Virginia - After a big victory on Wednesday over local rival Alderson Broaddus, Salem women's basketball was ready to make a big splash in their home debut as the Saint Augustine's University Falcons came to town. Salem did just that as they used a big second half rally to squeak out a tight 70-68 win.

In the first quarter, it was the Falcons who jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter. Salem struggled initially to find good scoring chances, but as the game drove on, they stayed neck and neck with the Falcons. Emerson Wells and Anna Machykova played well for the Tigers, but it would be a 18-18 tie after the first. 

In the second, it was more of the same as the Falcons really made the Tigers work for every point they scored. Saint Augustine's would control the contest after the second quarter by a score of 34-29. 

After the halftime break, Salem had a tough task in front of them. They were trailing to a tough defensive Falcon unit, and they could not find the hot outside shooting that carried them in the Alderson Broaddus game. However, Salem was able to claw back into the game due to some strong interior play from Anete Bluma and Elena Pericic. Using their size effectively in the paint, Salem took control of the game at the end of the third with a 49-46 score favoring the Tigers. 

However, there was still the fourth quarter of the contest to be played. The game remained tightly contested as both teams traded blows down the stretch. However, some continued strong play from Anete Bluma gave the Tigers the advantage they needed to survive the Falcons comeback bid and pull out with the hard fought 70-68 win. 

On the stats sheet, the Tigers were led by Elena Pericic with 19 points, and she was followed up by Emerson Wells with 16 and Anna Machykova with 13. 

Salem will be right back onto the hardwood on the road this week as they head to Pitt-Johnstown for a 5:30 PM tip on Tuesday, November 22nd.