SALEM, West Virginia - With the USCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament just around the corner, the Salem women's basketball program matched up with Bluefield State for their final home basketball contest of the season. Salem battled with the Big Blue the whole way, and were able to send off their seniors in style with a well-earned 70-58 win. 

In the first quarter, it was the Big Blue who came out of the locker room with the hot shooting hand. They quickly jumped out to a 9-3 advantage, but the Tigers came right back with 2 big three pointers from Emerson Wells. Those shots kicked off a run for the Tigers that featured big scoring plays from Elena Pericic and Liliani Krause. That rally concluded at the end of the quarter, and with Salem holding a 16-13 lead. 

In the second quarter, Salem relied on their seniors early on, Daniela Quesada and Nerea Arambarri Fernandez, and grew their lead to as much as 8. However, Bluefield State strung together a run of their own, and the half concluded with a 33-33 dead heat on the scoreboard in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.

For the third period, the game remained close. The Krause and Fernandez combination for the Tigers netted them a few baskets, but it would be the Big Blue who lead after 3 quarters 47-44. 

With their backs against the wall and just one quarter left to take back control of the game, Salem rose to the occasion. Anna Machytkova broke the scoring drought for the Tigers, and she sparked a big run for Salem. Fueled by Arambarri Fernandez running the point guard role to perfection, Salem went on a 12-4 run to open the fourth quarter to take control of the game. From there, they maintained that advantage thanks to great foul shooting from Daniela Quesada down the stretch. The Tigers were able to pull out the 70-58 victory over their in-state rivals from Bluefield State. 

On the scorecard, Salem was fittingly led by one of their seniors, Nerea Arambarri Fernandez, who finished her final home game as a Tiger with a double double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Liliani Krause also had a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Emerson Wells rounded out the Tigers in double figures with 12 points. Senior Daniela Quesada added 5 points in her final home game as a Tiger as well. 

With this big win to round out the regular season for the Salem women's basketball program, they should be energized as they prepare for the USCAA Division I Basketball Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. That event runs from March 12th through March 16th. The Tigers will know their spot in that field when the USCAA announces that lineup on March 5th, at 4:45 PM.