INDIANA, PA - The Tigers finished their three-game road trip to open the season tonight against the Crimson Hawks from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Salem entered the night's match still winless in the early days of this 2023-24 basketball season and hungry to get into the win column. The Tigers entered the night's action coming off a tough five-point loss against Winston-Salem State University on Saturday where they were led by Anete Bluma with 22 points.

The Crimson Hawks struck on their first possession, hitting a three-pointer after an offensive rebound by Teirra Preston. Salem's Anete Bluma came down the court and answered back with a triple of her own to even the scoring. Bluma's scoring proficiency continued as she hit another three for the Tigers early on to keep the offense churning. IUP's offense caught fire in the closing minutes of the opening quarter. The Hawks scored eleven points in the final three and a half minutes of play to take a 19-15 lead into the second.

Teirra Preston began to take over for the Hawks in the early stages of the second quarter. She scored the first six points for IUP within the first two minutes of action. Salem's defense buckled down for the remainder of the half, allowing only six points in the final eight minutes of first-half play. The offensive workload was led by Liliani Krause and Teodora Popovic who combined for 10 of the Tigers 15 second quarter points. Going into the half the Tigers found themselves in a one-possession game down a point to the Crimson Hawks.

At the start of the second half, it seems both teams had committed to a more physical style of play. Defensive production ramped up, offense plummeted for both squads, and a total of nine fouls were called during the third quarter. The Tigers were once again led offensively by Teodora Popovic who scored six points in the quarter off of two shots from long range. The Tigers were able to tie up the game going into the fourth quarter at 41-41.

With a win in their sights, the Tigers struck first on a bomb from deep by Emerson Wells to take the lead 44-41. IUP responded with a 10-3 run to take the lead back with under five minutes of play left in regulation. The Tiger offense clawed back into it and cut the deficit to one with a huge three by Anete Bluma with 32 seconds remaining. The Hawks missed both free throws and Salem got the ball back down one with nine seconds. Head Coach, Nikayla Edgell, called a timeout to draw up a play and try to head back home victorious. The Tigers got the ball to one of their most reliable options in Bluma, but she was not able to hit the shot that would put the Tigers on top. 

Salem drops their third game of the road trip 55-54 and will look to right the ship on their home court Wednesday at 4:00 pm where they will take on the Griffins from Seton Hill University.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Points: Liliani Krause (14)

Assists: Anna Machytkova (3)

Rebounds: Liliani Krause (7)

Steals: Liliani Krause, Anna Machytkova (2)