WHEELING, West Virginia - To kick off a long string of Mountain East Conference opponents, the Salem women's basketball team headed up to Wheeling this afternoon for a 2 PM contest with the Cardinals. Despite a strong start, the Tigers were upended by the Cardinals 66-49.

In the first quarter, the Tigers displayed some great outside shooting to open the contest. Lucia Yanez and Kamryn Ruffin nailed two big jumpers early, but a late Cardinal surge set to score at 19-13 after the first. 

In the second, Salem began to whittle away at the Cardinal lead. Taja Stephens and Carmen Vasquez played well for the Tigers, but Wheeling, not to be overcome on their home court, held off the Tigers' advances with some strong defensive play. Therefore, the contest went into the halftime break 32-25 favoring the Cardinals. 

After the intermission, Salem again began to eat away at the Cardinal advantage. This time, it was behind some key baskets from Carine Pinkney, Salem's leading scorer on the season. The Tigers brought the game within a couple of possessions, but were again pushed away by another Cardinal surge late in the period. The scoreline held at 50-34 going into the fourth. 

In the final period, Salem had to throw everything they had at the Cardinals in order to claw back into the contest. Salem made some strides behind more strong shooting from Pinkney. Yet, it was simply a day late and a dollar short for the Tigers. Wheeling pulled away with the 66-49 win over Salem. 

On the stats sheet, Salem was led by Carine Pinkney with 17 points. The other Tiger in double figures was Carmen Vasquez who added 13 points off the bench for Salem. 

Salem will return home for their final contest before the Thanksgiving holiday break. They are set to take on the West Liberty Hilltoppers on Tuesday, November 26th at 5:30 PM in Salem's T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.