SALEM, West Virginia - In their first of two meetings this season, Salem women's basketball team welcomed the Point Park Pioneers down from Pittsburgh to T. Edward Davis Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The fans in attendance were witness to a heroic second half rally from the Tigers, but it fell just short in the final seconds as Salem was defeated 67-63.

In the first quarter, Salem benefited from a hot start fueled by Cassandra Smith. Both teams traded slim leads, but the Pioneers maintained a 17-16 lead after the first quarter. 

For the second, the Pioneers opened with an opening rally to take control of the game. The Tigers battled back behind some strong play from Taja Stephens and Carmen Vasquez. However, Point Park still held a 37-30 lead going into the break.

After the intermission, another strong opening sequence for the Pioneers pushed their lead well into the double digits. Undaunted, Salem pushed right back behind effective interior play from Liliani Krause, and slowly ate away at the Pioneer advantage. Yet, the Pioneers still held on to a 49-41 scoreline heading into the final frame. 

In the fourth, Salem pushed ahead and brought out a defensive full court press that threw the Pioneers for a loop. Salem rode a wave of points of turnovers and cut down the Point Park lead to as little as four in the waning moments. However, that is where the surge ended for the Tigers, and Point Park got away with the tight 67-63 win.

From the scorer's table, Salem landed 4 players scoring in double figures. Cassandra Smith led the way with 18 points. Liliani Krause finished just behind her with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Taja Stephens finished with 14 points, and Carmen Vasquez uncorked a solid 10 point and 13 rebound double double performance. 

In the final leg of their three game home stand, Salem will be looking to avenge an early season loss to the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats on Wednesday, January 29th at 5:30 PM here in Salem on Mike Carey Court in T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.