BUCKHANNON, WV - The Salem Tigers (1-7) women's basketball team finished their two-game road trip today against the Bobcats (2-5) of West Virginia Wesleyan. Salem came into the match looking to get back in the win column after a tough loss in a high-scoring match against Glenville State on Saturday, December 2nd.

The first quarter was all Tigers as their offense came out clicking. They were led in the early stages of the quarter by Cassandra Smith and Elena Pericic who combined for nine of Salem's nineteen first-quarter points. Defensively the Tigers looked impressive, rotating on time and closing out on shooters. They forced Wesleyan coach, Brett Vincent, to go to his bench early.

It was the Bobcat's turn to see some shots start to fall during the second quarter. The Wesleyan offense settled into the pace of the game and they began to knock down shots from mid-range and deep to cut into the Tiger lead. Salem had some answers of their own. Elena Pericic kept finding timely baskets to stay ahead and Emerson Wells knocked down two big threes just before the half to help the Tigers go into the break with a score of 35-29.

Both teams struggled out of the half. The high-scoring offense of the first two quarters had been cooled during the break. The two squads continued to turn the ball over and commit fouls. After being sent into the bonus, the Bobcat offense garnered most of their points from the stripe. Salem's trio of Carine Pinkney, Teodora Popovic, and Elena Pericic scored all nine points for the Tigers during the quarter. Going into the fourth Salem held onto the lead 44-42.

The two offenses returned to their earlier form in the fourth quarter. Salem jumped out early with two three-pointers from Emerson Wells and Anete Bluma. Bluma continued her hot streak throughout the quarter, scoring clutch basket after clutch basket to keep the Tigers ahead. Salem led by three with under half a minute to play and the Bobcats sent Cassandra Smith to the line where she sunk both free throws to put the game out of reach and secure the win for Salem 64-61.

The Tigers improve to (2-7) on the season and look to start a winning streak on Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 PM when they host the Senators of Davis & Elkins College at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium in Salem, WV.

SALEM STAT LEADERS:

Points: Elena Pericic (19)

Assists: Teodora Popovic (5)

Rebounds: Anete Bluma (8)

Blocks: Anna Machytkova, Anete Bluma (1)