FAIRMONT, West Virginia - With frigid temperatures taking control of most of the Mountain State, the Salem Men's Basketball team and head coach Vince Thibodeau bared the cold to make the quick jaunt up I-79 to Fairmont to take on the Falcons of Fairmont State for a midweek clash of old former West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals. Both teams flexed their defensive muscles, but it was the Falcons who prevailed 72-47.
In the first half, the tone of the game was set almost immediately with the Tigers taking a couple of minutes to make their first marks on the scoreboard. However, Salem got the ball rolling with some big shots from Kapone Barley and Ian Hardy. Yet, the Tigers had a big deficit to overcome, and their work cut out for them going against a tough Falcon defensive front. The Tigers found those scoring chances difficult to tie down for the rest of the half, and Fairmont State led going into the intermission by a score of 38-21.
After the break, Salem knew they had to break through the ice and fire up their offensive attack in order to get back in the game. They did just that with some hot outside shooting coming out of the locker room. Brandon Francois, Khemanni Davis, and Jack Garrison IV all nailed big threes, and Salem brought the game back within single digits with about 14 minutes of go. Unfortunately, that would be where the newfound offensive well ran dry for the Tigers. Fairmont State tightened their grip on the contest, and Salem was sent packing with a 72-47 loss and a cold drive back to Harrison County.
From the scorer's table, Salem was led by Khemanni Davis. He finished just short of a double double with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Davis was the only Tiger in double figures, but Brandon Francois was next on the scoring list with 9 points.
The Tigers will be looking to shake off the frost, and get warmed up again back at home in their next contest. Weather permitting, Salem will play host to Frostburg State at 4 PM on Saturday, January 20th at 4 PM in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.
