WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Salem University hung tough through the first half, but a difficult second half on both ends of the floor allowed West Liberty to pull away as the Tigers fell 71–50 on Wednesday evening inside the ASRC.
Salem trailed only 30–27 at halftime after a strong defensive second quarter in which the Tigers held the Hilltoppers to just nine points. Meilin Guo led the way early, scoring seven points in the opening frame and finishing the first half with nine. The Tigers also got key minutes from Batoul Khaleefah, whose early scoring kept Salem within striking distance.
However, West Liberty seized control in the third quarter behind the interior play of Jameka Brungard and the shot-making of Halley Smith. The Hilltoppers outscored Salem 16–11 in the period, stretching their advantage to 46–38 entering the fourth.
The game ultimately swung in the final 10 minutes, where West Liberty erupted for 25 points while holding Salem to 12. A 3-pointer from Katie Lucarelli and multiple second-chance baskets sparked a decisive run that pushed the margin beyond reach.
Tigers' Highlights
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Meilin Guo delivered a team-high 14 points, adding 12 rebounds for a double-double.
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Nakayla Green contributed 7 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals, showcasing her two-way impact.
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Briana Bunkley provided a spark off the bench with 10 points.
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Salem outrebounded West Liberty on the offensive glass 15–14, creating several second-chance opportunities.
Key Stats
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Halftime: Salem trailed just 30–27
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Second Half: West Liberty outscored Salem 41–23
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Turnovers: Salem 27, West Liberty 16
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Paint Points: 30–28 (WLU)
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Bench Points: 21–18 (SAL)
Despite the loss, the Tigers showed strong stretches—especially early—and continued to generate productive minutes from their young rotation. Salem returns to action later this week looking to rebound and build on the positives from Wednesday night.
