WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Tyler Davenport scored a game-high 21 points while teammates Alize Brooks and Dionne Sampson added 13 and 10 points, respectively, to help guide Salem to a 73-67 victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday, November 13th at Varsity Gym in Winston-Salem. The six-point win marks the first in the coaching career of Salem's Quntashea Lewis.

Davenport knocked down 7-of-12 field goals from the floor, while hitting 7-of-8 from the free throw line, while grabbing six rebounds along the way. Brooks reached double figures after hitting 4-of-11 from the floor and 5-of-9 at the charity stripe. Sampson was top scorer among reserves after knocking down 4-of-8 from the floor, including a long distance 3-pointer.

Salem had 46 rebounds in the game, receiving eight from Tamsi Echendu and six each from Davenport and Kyana Thomas. Thomas also added six points, scoring four from the free throw line. Salem wrapped up the game hitting 25-of-57 (43.9%) from the floor and was successful on 21-of-32 (65.6%) at the free throw line.

Virginia Wesleyan (0-2) was led in scoring by Jessica Jennings, who finished with 17 after hitting 6-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. Adaje Williams came through with 14 points for the Marlins, while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds, converting 5-of-13 from the floor. Imani Felton added 13 points for Virginia Wesleyan, which hit 26-of-64 (40.6%) from the floor.

A pair of 3-pointers from the Jennings allowed Virginia Wesleyan to grab a 60-52 lead in the first 2:23 of the fourth quarter. However, Salem answered with buckets by Thomas and Sydney Bowen, slicing the margin to four, 60-56, with 5:43 remaining. The back-and-forth exchange continued until a jumper by Bowen along with a layup by Savanah Atkins drew the contest even at 64. Atkins added a second jumper while Brooks hit a pair of free throws to forge Salem back in front, 66-65.

The Salem defense surrendered just one field goal in the final 36 seconds of the contest, while the offense scored seven points to complete the win. Atkins was responsible for three of the points, while Sampson and Bass knocked down timely free throws to earn the first Salem win for Lewis in her coaching career.

The Marlins made a big charge in the third quarter, outscoring Salem 28-16 in the frame, after receiving eight points from Jennings and six from Williams. Virginia Wesleyan's offense finished 11-of-21 from the floor and was 5-of-10 at the line. The Spirits assumed a 42-27 lead behind an invigorated Davenport at the 8:21 mark, but Virginia Wesleyan answered with a 21-8 run that sliced the margin to 50-48 with 2:12 remaining. The Marlins' charge continued with three points down the stretch by Felton as they forged in front 53-52 heading into the fourth.

Salem established a 19-14 in the first quarter behind seven points from Davenport and six by Brooks. The Spirits finished the frame hitting 7-of-16 from the floor and added four free throws. Salem led by as many as five points, 15-10, after a free throw conversion from Atkins.

With momentum on its side, Salem stretched the lead to 36-25 by the intermission. Sampson was the sparkplug for the Spirits' offense with seven points, hitting 3-of-3 from the floor, including a 3-pointer. Thomas was also instrumental off the bench with five points, knocking down a field goal along with 3-of-4 free throws.

Salem returns to action on Wednesday, November 17th when the Spirits head to Emory & Henry for a 7 p.m. contest.